Mexico’s daily ritual: raising the flag

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Every morning in Mexico City’s Zócalo -- or giant central square -- members of the military carry out the ceremony of raising the country’s flag.

The enormous bandera measures 14.3 meters by 25 meters (about 47 by 82 feet), and is marched out of the Palacio Nacional (National Palace) carried by a line of 10 soldiers. Marched to the center of the square, the flag is then hoisted, to a trumpet fanfare, to the top of a 50-meter pole.

Tourists and Mexicans alike stand around to watch in the early morning light. Many Mexicans salute proudly as the flag goes up.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City