“From Conspiracy to Struggle for Democracy: A Historicization of the Political Memories of the Mexican ’68”

Abstract

At the core of Mexico’s remembered present-past is the 1968 student movement, which condenses and constitutes the origins of other pasts and other futures. The year 1968 is, in fact, emerging as one of the most important events of the twentieth century, second only to the Mexican Revolution. In an August 2007 survey, for example, the Tlatelolco massacre ranks third as the most remembered date in the country’s history (mentioned by 36.2% of respondents), coming after the beginning of the war for independence (49% of respondents), and the start of the Mexican Revolution (39.8%) (Consulta Mitofsky 2007). The fact that as a historical date October 2 occupies such a high place in people’s memories surprises, especially considering that, at least until relatively recently, it was not even included in school programs. This suggests that 1968 is being incorporated into Mexico’s national history, even if it is only because of its tragic outcome.