Culture and Daily Life Transformation

1. Media and Entertainment

1.1. The 20th century brought people the radio and television to inform and entertain them.

1.2. Entertainment programs started being produced.

1.3. New channels started broadcasting movies, soap operas, and soccer matches.

1.4. It was common to see families gathered watching television or listening to the radio.

2. Leisure, Tourism, and Sports

2.1. Sports started booming and people spent their free time watching all kinds of matches.

2.2. Wrestling became a very popular sport, including wrestlers like El Santo.

2.3. The Arena Mexico and the Arena Coliseum were built in the 1950s.

2.4. Mexican cinema began to audience, and actors like Pedro Infante were well known.

2.5. Due to the availability of roads and airplanes, people started traveling more. Holiday centers like Acapulco developed.

3. Universities and Education

3.1. National University of Mexico (UNAM) was created in 1910.

3.2. National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) was created in 1931.

3.3. Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh) was created in 1923.

3.4. Creation of Universities and Institutions gave many youths an opportunity to study.

4. Nationalism to Current Art

4.1. Government supported artists to show Mexican nationalism.

4.2. Muralists' works magnified our prehispanic past. Diego Rivera was one of the main muralists.

4.3. Literature, dance, and music were also reflected by the creation of Mexican Folklore Ballet and INBA.

5. Entertainment Throughout Time

5.1. Introduction of 1 or 2 days off work.

5.2. Fairs turned into a new attraction for people.

5.3. Theatre became more popular until partially replaced with cinema.

5.4. Practicing a sport became a part of Mexicans' activities.

5.5. Museums became popular and turned into activities for free time.

6. Consumption and Technology

6.1. Transformation from predominantly agrarian state to industrialized country.

6.2. Specialized markets and stores started emerging in every neighborhood.

6.3. During the 50s, convenience stores and supermarkets started emerging.

6.4. Electrification in 1940 helped middle classes to buy products like refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions.

6.5. Large malls and shopping centers began to be built in the 1960s.

7. Communication and Transportation

7.1. During the Porfiriato, thousands of kilometers of railroads were built.

7.2. Transportation in Mexico City was mainly by electric train or "mulita" trolley.

7.3. First cars arrived to Mexico during the Porfiriato, and the largest vehicle assembler at that time was Ford.

7.4. In 1940, during Lopez Mateos' presidency, highway system began expanding.

7.5. In 1928, the development of commercial aviation was encouraged.

7.6. People communicated by radio, postal service, telegraph, and telephone.

8. Consolidation of Secular Education

8.1. Secular education was conceived in the 19th century.

8.2. Kept education away from any religious doctrine.

8.3. Applied obligatory to public schools, but private schools had the option to teach religion.

8.4. Creation of SEP in 1921 had a big boost thanks to its first secretary.

9. Women in Society

9.1. Roles learned in childhood put women in an inferior position than men.

9.2. Women had no right to decide by themselves.

9.3. Laureana Wright Gonzalez wrote "Las Violetas de Anahuac".

9.4. Industrialization opened up job opportunities for women.

9.5. Cultural changes gave women opportunities to study "men exclusive" careers like doctor or lawyers.