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Oil Expropriation Day in Mexico

Mexicans remember Oil Expropriation Day (Día de la Expropiación Petrolera) as the day that the country’s oil fields were nationalized on March 18, 1938.

Is Oil Expropriation Day a Public Holiday?

Even though Oil Expropriation Day falls on Saturday, March 18, 2023, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in Mexico.

Oil is often extracted with the help of large oil rigs.

© iStockphoto.com/NiseriN

Celebrate Oil Expropriation Day

Some Mexicans in the oil and gas industry celebrate Oil Expropriation Day with events to honor the sovereignty and national ownership of oil resources.

Public Life

Oil Expropriation Day is a national observance in Mexico.

About Oil Expropriation Day

With oil being one of Mexico’s important resources, Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas nationalized all oil reserves, facilities and oil companies on March 18, 1938. This was done in the best interest of Mexicans. Mexican state-owned petroleum company Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) was established shortly after.

Oil Expropriation Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2018SunMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2019MonMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2020WedMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2021ThuMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2022FriMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2023SatMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2024MonMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2025TueMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2026WedMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2027ThuMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2028SatMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.

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