The Mexican Revolution! American Legacy
Opens Sept. 16
Artifact Walls, First Floor, Center
This history highlights case explores the role of the U.S. in the Mexican Revolution and its impact on the American political, social and cultural landscape. Using images, photographs, a timeline and objects, the case looks at how the Mexican Revolution precipitated a large migration of Mexicans to the United States.
Thursday, Sept. 23- Saturday, Sept. 25
A three-day symposium and cultural festival commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Films, music, book signings and scholarly discussions will bring an understanding of the impact of the Mexican Revolution on aesthetic, political and cultural productions of the United States. Symposium organizing partners include The George Washington University, the Latin American Studies Center at the University of Maryland, Boston University and the Mexican Cultural Institute.
Symposium
Thursday, Sept. 23; 8:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Carmichael Auditorium, First Floor Center
The symposium will include a number of panel discussions on topics such as the reaction of the U.S. government and the American media to the Mexican Revolution, the impact of this historical event on border cities and the influence of this revolution on U.S. literature and art.
The keynote speaker will be Gilbert Joseph, Farnam Professor of History and International Studies at Yale University and the author of numerous articles on the Mexican Revolution and other subjects. His presentation will be Friday, Sept. 24, at 9:30 a.m.
After the symposium, Guillermo Gómez Peña, a Mexican performance artist, activist and writer, will present a work inspired by the Mexican Revolution. The panels and performance are free and open to the public. Detailed information may be found at https://americanhistory.si.edu/mexicanrevolution
Mexican Revolution Film Festival
Friday, Sept. 24; 10:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Carmichael Auditorium, First Floor Center
This one-day film festival features films related to the Mexican Revolution. Before each screening Adela Pineda, associate professor of Spanish at Boston University, will give a short introduction about the film and its relation to the revolution.
Viva Villa (1934)Music and Performances
Friday, Sept. 24; 11:00 a.m.
“Viva Villa” is a fictional biography of Pancho Villa. Directed by Jack Conway and starring Wallace Beery, the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Wild Bunch (1969)
Friday, Sept. 24; 1:00 p.m.
“The Wild Bunch” is a western film about an aging outlaw gang on the Texas-Mexico border in 1913. The movie was directed by Sam Peckinpah.
Viva Zapata (1952)
Friday, Sept. 24; 3:00 p.m.
“Viva Zapata” is a fictionalized account of the life of Mexican Revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. Directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando.
Tejano Music, “corridos,” demonstration carts and music performances by Mariachi los Amigos, the Washington area’s longest existing mariachi ensemble. Also featured is an artistic performance by Guillermo Gómez Peña, a Mexican performance artist, activist, writer and educator, who will present a work inspired by the Mexican Revolution that addresses the intersections of Mexican and U.S. culture.
Artistic Performance by Guillermo Gómez PeñaBook Signings
Thursday, Sept. 23; 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.
Camichael Auditorium, First Floor Center
Mexican and Mexican American music performances
Saturday, Sept. 25; 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Held throughout the museum
Demonstration Carts
Saturday, Sept. 25; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Held throughout the museum Listen and learn about “corridos”
Three authors of recent publications related to the Mexican Revolution will sign their books.
“The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution”
Friday, Sept. 24; noon
First Floor, Main Store
Translator Sergio Waisman will sign copies of “The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution.” Waisman is the chair of the Department of Romance, German & Slavic Languages & Literatures and associate professor of Spanish & International Affairs at The George Washington University.
“Crafting Mexico: Intellectuals, Artisans, and the State after the Revolution”
Friday, Sept. 24; noon First Floor, Main Store
Rick A. Lopez will sign copies of “Crafting Mexico.” Lopez is associate professor of history at Amherst College and currently chair of the Mexican Studies Committee of the Conference of Latin American Studies.
“Ringside Seat to a Revolution”
Friday, Sept. 24; noon 4 First Floor, Main Store
David Dorado Romo will sign copies of “Ringside Seat to a Revolution: An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juárez, 1893-1923.” Romo is an essayist, historian and translator.
Hispanic Heritage Month in Stars and Stripes Cafe
Sept. 1 – 30
Stars and Stripes, Lower Level
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the museum’s marking of the Mexican Revolution, the Stars and Stripes Cafe will offer themed foods.
The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Documenting the American experience from Colonial times to the present, the museum looks at growth and change in the United States. For information about the museum, please visit https://americanhistory.si.edu or call Smithsonian Information at (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).
ContactMedia only:
Raiza Báez
(202) 633-3129
Melinda Machado
(202) 633-3129
Public only:
(202) 633-1000
Raiza Báez
(202) 633-3129
Melinda Machado
(202) 633-3129
Public only:
(202) 633-1000