10 facts about Mexican Revolution
More than 115 years have passed since the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, yet this historic conflict continues to spark curiosity and inspire debate. What began as a movement to overthrow Porfirio Díaz—who had held power for 35 years—rapidly evolved into one of the most transformative social and political upheavals in Mexico’s history. Although Díaz oversaw a period of modernization, it came at a high social and economic cost, paid largely by the most vulnerable communities and the political opposition silenced under his regime.
The revolution erupted in northern Mexico and quickly spread across the entire country. Beyond the battles, political struggles, and iconic leaders, the revolution is full of stories and details that many people have never heard. Here are 10 intriguing facts that shed new light on Mexico’s most important revolution.
1. A Revolution that announced its own start date
Surprisingly, the Mexican Revolution is the only major uprising in world history that publicly announced the exact date and time it would begin. The call to arms was detailed in the Plan of San Luis, written by Francisco I. Madero. In this document, Madero invited the Mexican people to rise against Porfirio Díaz on Sunday, November 20, at 6:00 p.m. The announcement was a bold and unprecedented move—one that would ignite the first sparks of the revolution.
2. The mystery of Madero’s middle name
For many years, it was widely claimed that Francisco I. Madero’s second name was Indalecio. But no official record ever validated this belief. His baptism certificate reveals his real name: Francisco Ignacio Madero—in honor of his parents’ devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Despite his role as president, Madero was affectionately nicknamed “Pingüica” because of his short height. He was also deeply committed to spiritualism, earning him another title in the press of the time: “the madman who communicates with the dead.”
3. The most iconic photograph of the Revolution
One of the most famous images from the Revolution captures Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata seated in the National Palace on December 6, 1914. The photograph, taken by Agustín Víctor Casasola, immortalized the moment when the two revolutionary leaders briefly shared power after a celebratory banquet. Today, the original image is preserved in the National Museum of Photography in Pachuca.
4. Emiliano Zapata was not poor
Although Emiliano Zapata is often portrayed as a destitute peasant, the reality is more nuanced. Zapata actually came from a family of comfortable means. He enjoyed refined tastes, including French cuisine and cognac—details that contrast sharply with his popular image as a humble campesino.
5. Women who fought, led, and spied
Women played a crucial and often overlooked role in the revolution. Many supported the troops by cooking, cleaning clothes, caring for the wounded, and protecting children. But some women went far beyond traditional roles.
One extraordinary figure was Colonel Carmen Amelia Robles Ávila from Xochipala, Guerrero. Known as “Coronel Robles,” she disguised herself in men’s clothing and fought with exceptional skill in both horseback riding and weapons. Other women became spies, infiltrating enemy lines; soldaderas rode atop train cars, while prostitutes traveled inside them.
6. The poet vice president: José María Pino Suárez
Mexico’s vice president during Madero’s government, José María Pino Suárez, was not only a politician but also a passionate poet. He fell deeply in love with his wife, María Casimira Cámara Vales—whom he courted with serenades and poems. After Pino Suárez was assassinated during the Decena Trágica, Maruca was devastated. She sold her belongings to support her children and lived a long life until receiving the Belisario Domínguez Medal in 1969 at the age of 92.
7. A German spy at the heart of the Revolution
Félix A. Sommerfeld, a German double agent, became one of Madero’s closest allies. He worked simultaneously with U.S. and German intelligence and built a sophisticated network of informants along the U.S.–Mexico border. Sommerfeld is considered one of the pioneers of Mexico’s intelligence services.
8. Jack London: chronicler of the Revolution
Celebrated American author Jack London, known for White Fang and The Call of the Wild, was also a journalist who covered the Mexican Revolution. A committed socialist, he was drawn to the struggle and even dedicated one of his most famous stories, “The Mexican,” to the cause—a tale about a young boxer who donates his prize money to support the revolutionaries.
9. The real Adelita
La Adelita, one of the most beloved revolutionary songs, was composed by Sergeant Antonio Gil del Río for Adela Velarde Pérez of Durango. At just 13 years old, Adela defied her parents and joined the revolutionary nursing corps created by Doña Leonor Villegas de Magnon. Leaving behind a life of comfort, she devoted herself to caring for the wounded aboard medical trains.
10. A bullet in bar La Ópera
In Mexico City’s historic center, the famous cantina La Ópera still displays a bullet hole in its ceiling—fired by none other than Pancho Villa during a visit in 1914. The bar, originally opened in 1876, remains a living witness to the revolution’s turbulent past.
The Mexican Revolution is far more than a series of battles—it is a collection of human stories, contradictions, and unforgettable characters. These ten facts offer just a glimpse into the complexity and richness of a movement that forever reshaped the nation.
