A sad anniversary for Mexico: 43 years since the mass murders of students in Tlatelolco, Mexico City

On October 2, 1968, hundreds of high school and university students gathered near a large public housing project in Mexico City. Their purpose was to stage a protest. Probably they had multiple social and political issues on their agenda that day. 1968 was very much a year of student protests worldwide.

In the early evening the protestors were surrounded by thousands of armed Mexican troops, backed by armored vehicles. With virtually no provocation, the soldiers opened fire shortly after 6:00 p.m. Protestors were mowed down and bodies fell on all sides. Others, including journalists, bystanders and people who simply lived in the area, were likewise executed. The killings went on for hours. To this day, the Mexican government avoids the topic like a plague, and refuses to make available meaningful details on exactly how the events unfolded -- and why.

Justice has most assuredly not been done in this case.

Photo: Memorial to the dead, where "The Sad Night" is commemorated every year.