What’s Mexico’s real name? Hint: not Mexico
Celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Mexico City on September 16, 2000.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon wants to change Mexico's name to Mexico instead of the country's formal 1824 title the United States of Mexico, according to BBC News.
"Forgive me for the expression, but Mexico's name is Mexico," Calderon said as he announced his new bill, which is set to go before congress as the president heads into his last weeks in office, his term ending Dec. 1.
Calderon told his countrymen it's about time they "retake the beauty and simplicity of our motherland's name: Mexico," said CNN, noting dryly: "It's still too early to know if the new Mexican Congress will quickly act on Calderon's bill or tackle other more pressing matters."
Calderon's administration has been accused of widespread corruption, prompting some to suggest Mexico be renamed "Fraud-land," according to RussiaToday, citing the response on Twitter.
The name thing appears to have bothered Calderon for years because he introduced a similar bill in 2003 that was never voted on, said BBC.
The country took the name United States of Mexico after winning freedom from Spain.
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