The long dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz came to an end with his resignation. At 4:25 p.m. the Chamber of Deputies accepted it, and the resignation of his Vice President, Ramón Corral.
Born in 1830, Diaz had initially studied to become a priest but eventually switched his studies to law. He served under Benito Juarez in the war against France in which he proved to be an effective military officer. He seized power in in a coup in 1876, and was elected to office the following year, serving until 1880. He resumed holding the office in 1884. The period of 1876 to 1911 is generally regarded as one of continual rule by Diaz and is referred to as the Porfirismo.
Diaz was actually a surprisingly good leader and granted Mexico a long period of stability and economic reform. His rule favored industry and technocrats. Wealth generally increased and there was some advancement of the rights of the underclass, but he was generally conservative in his overall approach. He was on generally friendly terms with the Church, which is not surprising given his early life.
He'd be well remembered today if it wasn't for his inability to trust anyone else to run the country.
He went into exile in France with his wife and son, the only child from two marriages and one affair that lived until adulthood. Ramón Corral was already in Europe seeking medical attention for terminal cancer and went into exile in France.
Francisco León de la Barra y Quijano became the Provisional President of Mexico.
Diaz provides a warning about leaders and movements based on a leader assuming that only one man can advance them. His long reign ended up not only ending in an unnecessary revolution, but radicalizing both his supporters and opponents.
The USS Wyoming was launched.
USS Wyoming in its original configuration.
The second US vessel to that date to bear the name Wyoming, the battleship would serve until 1947.
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