Memoria y olvido - Melchor Ocampo (31/03/2026)

Melchor Ocampo (1814-1861) was a pillar of Mexican liberalism and a key architect of the Reform Laws, fundamental for separating Church and State, establishing civil registration, and promoting secular education. Melchor Ocampo was an orphan and was adopted by a wealthy landowner (Francisca Javiera Tapia), who bequeathed him all her properties, allowing him to study in Mexico and Europe. Although he trained as a lawyer, his passion was science. He conducted studies on the trajectories of comets, developed an irrigation system, and even invented a rabies vaccine. He combined these pursuits with his public life as a member of the Constituent Assembly, governor of Michoacán, and co-author of the Reform Laws. He is commonly remembered for his participation in the McLane-Ocampo Treaty, drafted during a critical moment for Mexico, which was never ratified by the U.S. Senate, and for the epistle that bears his name, criticized for its anti-feminist views, written in the 19th century according to the prevailing ideas about family at the time. But it is important to remember that Melchor Ocampo was a key figure in Benito Juárez's government during the Reform War, serving in various ministries, especially as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He promoted equality before the law and the disentailment of church property, and was a staunch defender of liberal principles until his execution in 1861, cementing his status as a civilian hero of Mexican sovereignty. Follow us on:   / canaloncetv   http://www.x.com/CanalOnceTV   / canaloncetv     / canaloncetv   https://www.threads.net/@canaloncetv https://canalonce.mx/