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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?

Oil Expropriation Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

Oil - used for cooking and other daily activities in countries like Mexico.

©iStockphoto.com/JodiJacobson

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
2015WedMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2016FriMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
2017SatMar 18Oil Expropriation DayObservance
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

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