Mexican Independence Day is September 16. It celebrates El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores) marking the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810.
New York’s Mexican Independence Day Celebrations
New York City’s big Mexican Independence Day celebrations include:
- Manhattan’s Mexican Day Parade 🇲🇽
- Staten Island’s Mexican Independence Day Parade 🇲🇽
Mexican Independence Day 2024 in Times Square
Many Latin American countries celebrate their “El Grito” cry for independence because it marked the beginning of the end of colonial exploitation.
“El Grito Mexicano” will be celebrated for the first time in New York City with “El Grito,” and a show featuring some major stars and La Banda de Brigido Santa María (Mexico’s oldest banda orchestra), Mariachi Internaciónal Tapatió, and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company; at Military Island in Times Square, Manhattan, on Seventh Avenue at 43rd St; on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 7-9pm. FREE. 🇲🇽
Mexican Independence Day
On September 16, Mexicans and Mexican Americans celebrate a speech given by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the small town of Dolores Hidalgo in 1810. The priest urged his followers to revolt against the Spaniards who ruled Mexico.
The rebellion started four days later with the Siege of Guanajuato. It took a decade of war before full independence was achieved on September 28, 1821.
Father Hidalgo is considered the Founding Father of Mexico.
The Ceremony
Many Latin celebrations start on the evening before. The ceremony begins on September 15 around eleven at night when the Mexican President rings the bell of the National Palace on Zócalo Square, the main square in Mexico City.
The President waves the Mexican flag, gives a short speech recalling the heros of Mexican independence, chants ¡Viva México! three times, and together the crowd sings the Mexican national anthem.
The fiesta is a party of fireworks and parades.
¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! “Mexicanos, al grito…”