The word "zócalo" means base or plinth (in Spanish). This enormous paved square, occupies the site of the ceremonial center of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. Ever since the time of Emperor Moctezuma, the area was surrounded by palaces, temples and other structures. Today is the largest public square in the Western Hemisphere. El Zócalo is used for government/political rallies, protest marches, sit-ins, concerts and other festive events too all round year. Every day at either 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM the Army has the ceremony of the raising and lowering of the Mexican flag in the center of the square. It is so very exciting to see La Bandera de México otherwise known as the Flag Of Mexico as it flies in the Zócalo. This flag was created in 1821, when the Independence movement had ended victoriously.