Mexicans come together on September 16 each year to commemorate their nation’s freedom from colonial domination more than 200 years ago.
The day commemorates the beginning of Mexico’s independence from Spanish authority in the early nineteenth century when a Catholic priest of town Dolores in Mexico issued a demand for the country to be free.
Although Mexico did not gain independence until a decade later, in 1821, an impassioned speech delivered by Father Hidalgo is largely seen as the genesis for the end of Spanish control in Mexico.
Mexican Independence: celebration, all you need to know.
When was Mexico actually become independent?
Mexico became a free nation on September 27, 1821, eleven years after Father Hidalgo issued a call to arms from Dolores, which is today in the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico, north of Mexico City.
On September 16, 1810, shortly after midnight, the local Catholic church’s bells were rung as the Catholic priest gave his passionate and pro-independence speech. This event became known as the “Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”), and it marked the beginning of Mexico’s 11-year war against Spain for independence.
Father Hidalgo reportedly encouraged many people to support his cause, by depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe on a flag in a similar way that she appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican who eventually became a Catholic saint later.
While José Mara Morelos and the priest were executed by Spanish authorities for their appeals for independence, Mexico’s independence was ultimately gained in 1821 when an army under the command of soldier Agustin de Iturbide took over Mexico City.
Later, September 16 was designated as Independence Day of Mexico.
The way they celebrate and remember this day in Mexico.
The nation’s capital, Mexico City, as well as other cities and towns all around the country, celebrate the day with a number of sizable activities including parades, concerts, and music performances.
On September 15, the day before the festival, the Mexican president rings the same bell Father Hidalgo rang in 1810 while standing on the balcony of the National Palace, the country’s official home.
The president then reportedly reads aloud a speech based on “Grito de Dolores” and exclaims three times, “Viva Mexico!” Several heroes from the Mexican War of Independence are mentioned in the speech.
The countries achieve independence around the same time period.
A number of Central and South American nations, including El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua on September 15 and Mexico on September 16, celebrate their independence days.
On September 18, two days after Chile celebrates its independence, and on October 12, celebrations take place all throughout the Americas to celebrate Christopher Columbus’ arrival.
The four-week duration from 15 September to 15 October is recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month and is a time for celebration.
Way the other countries celebrate Mexican Independence Day
Mexicans live all over the world, but nowhere so much as in the USA, where 10.9 million of them are thought to reside, according to Statistics. This is out of a total of 11.2 million Mexicans residing overseas.
Major US cities, like Chicago, host big events and parades every year. The 26th iteration of this parade took place on September 11, 2022, and it attracts up to 500,000 spectators.
Numerous festivals and events are also held in California, a state next to Mexico.