Mexican Independence Day

Not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo, a holiday popular in the United States that commemorates Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, Mexican Independence Day—Día de la Independencia de México in Spanish—honors Mexico's fight for independence from Spain and is celebrated by Mexicans and people with Mexican ancestry all around the world.

At 11:00 pm, on September 15, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bell at his parish in the Mexican city of Dolores, summoning his small congregation, and on the early morning of September 16 gave "El Grito de Dolores" (The Cry of Dolores), the battle cry speech that urged his people to take up arms and fight for their independence. With it, Mexico's War for Independence began.

The fight for freedom would last over 11 years. The rebels won the city of Guanajuato after fierce fighting—after over 500 Spaniards and 2,200 Indians perished in the battle. The rebel army grew to 80,000 by October and closed in on Mexico City. Hidalgo was apprehensive about attacking the capital city and retreated to the north; he was captured in Texas, which was still a part of the Spanish empire, and killed by firing squad on July 31, 1811. He was decapitated, and his head was put on display in Guanajuato, where he and the rebels were charged with taking part in a massacre.

Although Hidalgo's calls for revolution weren't successful, they inspired José María Morelos, another priest, who along with Mexican military leader Agustín de Iturbide would take up the cause. Iturbide took Mexico City in February 1821 and declared national independence. He came up with the Plan de Iguala, which established independence from Spain, equality for Spaniards and Creoles in the country, and a ban on religions besides Roman Catholicism. On August 24, 1821, the Treaty of Cordoba was signed by Spanish Viceroy Juan de O’Donojú; it separated Mexico from Spain and approved a plan for an independent Mexican monarchy. Iturbide became emperor, but a few years later a democratic republic came to be, and Guadalupe Victoria became Mexico's first president.

In Mexico, independence is marked at the beginning of the struggle, with the commemoration of Father Hidalgo's battle cry—with all its hope and possibility—not at the struggle's end. Mexican Independence Day is one of Mexico's largest holidays along with Day of the Dead and Revolution Day. Schools and businesses are closed in the country. Festivities are held in major Mexican cities like Jalisco and Mexico City and in places all throughout Mexico and the world. Celebrations are held at consulates and embassies by Mexicans. Cities in the United States with large populations, such as Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, and Chicago mark the day with parades and festivals.

Mexicans reenact "El Grito de Dolores." On the evening of September 15, the president of Mexico reenacts the speech in front of a huge crowd from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City. The crowd cheers "Viva!" after each line and the president gives tribute to Hidalgo by ringing a bell at the end of the speech. Mexico City also hosts a military march that makes its way to the memorial of Hidalgo.

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with gigantic street parades, street parties, traditional folk dancing, brass and mariachi band performances, specific dishes, fireworks, and rodeos. Birria de borrego, queso fundido, menudo, pozole, and chiles en nogada—which has the same colors as the Mexican flag—are common dishes. If there was an official drink for the day, it would be tequila. Common phrases associated with the day are "Viva Mexico" and "Viva la independencia nacional." Red, white, and green are often worn. With such celebrations, the spirit of Father Hidalgo lives on along with hope for Mexico's future.

How to Observe Mexican Independence Day

• Check for Mexican Independence Day events to attend near you.
• Attend a Mexican Independence Day event in a large American city like Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, or Chicago.
• Celebrate in Mexico City. Make sure to attend the reenactment at the National Palace.
• Attend a street parade, street party, fireworks display, or rodeo in honor of the day.
• Attend an event with traditional folk dancing or brass and mariachi band performances.
• Wear red, white, and green.
• Fly the Mexican flag.
• Eat birria de borrego, queso fundido, menudo, pozole, and chiles en nogada.
• Drink some tequila.
• Use phrases like "Viva Mexico" and "Viva la independencia nacional."
• Read a book about the Mexican War of Independence.

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