Mexican founders’ bones receive military escort to National Palace in bicentennial parade
By APSunday, August 15, 2010
Mexican founders’ bones displayed for bicentennial
MEXICO CITY — Mexico is displaying the bones of 13 of its founding fathers — and one founding mother — at the National Palace as part of its yearlong bicentennial celebrations.
Hundreds of soldiers accompanied the skeletel remains to the Palace on Sunday from Chapultepec Castle, where experts conducted tests confirming they were indeed those of the heroes of the 1810-1821 independence movement.
The bones were removed from crypts under Mexico’s Independence monument in May and will be returned in 2011.
Parade watchers tossed flowers at the procession and yelled “Viva Mexico!” as a military band played.
President Felipe Calderon called the celebration of Mexico’s heroes an inspiration for citizens to work toward a better nation.
Independence Day is Sept. 16.
