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.
The Origins of 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 Roman Catholic 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
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…”