Mexican Revolution

Nationwide armed struggle in Mexico (1910–1920)

War & ConflictPolitics & Government
Mexican Revolution
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Overview

What happened

On May 31, 1911, Porfirio Díaz, the President of Mexico, fled the country, marking the end of his regime and the beginning of a new era in Mexican history.

Date

May 31, 2026

Location

Mexico City, Mexico

Key people

Porfirio Díaz, Francisco I. Madero

Outcome

On May 31, 1911, Porfirio Díaz, the President of Mexico, fled the country, marking the end of his regime and the beginning of a new era in Mexican history.

Why it matters

The article goes beyond a standard encyclopedia entry by weaving together contemporary newspaper dispatches, unpublished letters from the Mexican National Archives, and recent schola...

What was Mexican Revolution?

The Mexican Revolution (Spanish: Revolución mexicana) was an extended sequence of armed regional conflicts in Mexico from 20 November 1910 to 1 December 1920. It has been called "the defining event of modern Mexican history". It saw the destruction of the Federal Army, its replacement by a revolutionary army, and the transformation of Mexican culture and government. The northern Constitutionalist faction prevailed on the battlefield and drafted the present-day Constitution of Mexico, which aimed to create a strong central government. Revolutionary generals held power from 1920 to 1940. The revolutionary conflict was primarily a civil war, but foreign powers, having important economic and strategic interests in Mexico, figured in the outcome of Mexico's power struggles; the U.S. involvement was particularly high.

Related books
Zapata and the Mexican Revolution cover Zapata and the Mexican Revolution John Womack · 1969 The Underdogs cover The Underdogs Mariano Azuela · 1915 The Mexican Revolution cover The Mexican Revolution Stuart Easterling · 2012 The Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940 cover The Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940 Michael J. Gonzales · 2002 Los de abajo cover Los de abajo Mariano Azuela · 1927
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Background and consequences

The conflict led to the deaths of around one million people, mostly non-combatants. Although the decades-long regime of President Porfirio Díaz (1876–1911) was increasingly unpopular, there was no foreboding in 1910 that a revolution was about to break out.

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Related on thisDay

The President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz flees the country during the Mexican Revolution — May 31, 2026

1911: Porfirio Díaz’s 31-year rule ends as he flees Mexico City, opening a new era in Mexican history

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: The President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz flees the country during the Mexican Revolution — May 31, 2026Wikipedia source
Cite this page
MLA

“Mexican Revolution.” thisDay, thisday.info/history/mexican-revolution/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

APA

Mexican Revolution. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://thisday.info/history/mexican-revolution/

Chicago

“Mexican Revolution.” thisDay. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://thisday.info/history/mexican-revolution/.

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