VIVA BENITO!

 Today is an important holiday in the land of our neighbor to the south.

It is celebrated throughout Mexico on the third Monday in March marking the birthday of Benito Juarez.

In 1858, the Liberal judge became the first indigenous President of Mexico, following a civil war with Conservatives.

Juarez was actually born on March 21st, 1806, which would make him 215 if he were still alive.

But he died of a heart attack in the National Palace in 1872 at the age of 66.

His parents were poor Zapotec peasants in the state of Oaxaca who both died when Juarez was 3.

Shortly after his grandparents also died so young Benito was raised by his uncle.

He walked to the city of Oaxaca when he was 12 to begin his schooling and rapidly rose to prominence.

He is remembered today as a progressive reformer dedicated to democracy and equal rights for the indigenous people.

And he was a friend of the United States of America.

So today raise a glass to Benito Juarez.