Lorena Ochoa, Carlos Fuentes, whiz kid leave time capsule messages
1:00 AM
Posted: Saturday, July 19, 2008
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico's president replaced a 1791 time capsule discovered atop Mexico City's cathedral with a new one containing messages from golf star Lorena Ochoa, novelist Carlos Fuentes and a boy genius.
President Felipe Calderon read his own message for the time capsule Friday before placing it inside a bell tower in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Workers later hoisted it to the top of the tower using ropes.
"The time capsule we are leaving today carries our hope that when it is opened, Mexico will be a safer, more just, more equal, freer, more competitive and more democratic country," Calderon said.
The old capsule was left in the tower on May 14, 1791 to mark the placement of the building's topmost stone, 218 years after construction began. Workers restoring the church found it in the bell tower in October.
The airtight box contained a small case of wax blessed by the Pope to prevent mishaps. Also inside was an engraving of Saint Barbara, a Roman Catholic martyr associated with lightning whose image is supposed to protect against damage.
Several Mexican prodigies left testimonials for the new capsule, including Ochoa, Fuentes and Nobel chemistry laureate Mario Molina. Andrew Almazan Anaya, a boy who entered university at age 12 last year, also left a message.
Works by Nobel Literature Prize winner Octavio Paz, the Mexican flag, the constitution, newspaper editions and recordings of popular music were also included.
President Felipe Calderon read his own message for the time capsule Friday before placing it inside a bell tower in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Workers later hoisted it to the top of the tower using ropes.
"The time capsule we are leaving today carries our hope that when it is opened, Mexico will be a safer, more just, more equal, freer, more competitive and more democratic country," Calderon said.
The old capsule was left in the tower on May 14, 1791 to mark the placement of the building's topmost stone, 218 years after construction began. Workers restoring the church found it in the bell tower in October.
The airtight box contained a small case of wax blessed by the Pope to prevent mishaps. Also inside was an engraving of Saint Barbara, a Roman Catholic martyr associated with lightning whose image is supposed to protect against damage.
Several Mexican prodigies left testimonials for the new capsule, including Ochoa, Fuentes and Nobel chemistry laureate Mario Molina. Andrew Almazan Anaya, a boy who entered university at age 12 last year, also left a message.
Works by Nobel Literature Prize winner Octavio Paz, the Mexican flag, the constitution, newspaper editions and recordings of popular music were also included.
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