Mexican Independence Day!
Mexican Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) is a major national public holiday in Mexico held every year. It resembles the U.S.’s 4th of July. On this day, most Mexicans have a day off work to celebrate. Government offices, schools, banks and many businesses are closed.
Some mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the victory at the Battle of Puebla that took place on May 5, 1862.
Famous speech El Grito
Mexican Independence Day is a holiday that commemorates the day when Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla made the cry of independence in the small town of Dolores (El Grito de la Independencia).
Miguel Hidalgo was a priest that said Mass and made a speech on the morning of 16 September 1810 to inspire and motivate people to revolt against Spaniards. At the time, Mexico was under Spanish control and known as New Spain.
The speech, known as the cry of Dolores (El Grito de Dolores), triggered the Mexican War of Independence that ended on September 27, 1821. Only four years later, September 16 started to be observed as the country’s Independence Day. Today, Father Hidalgo is considered the Father of the Nation.
When is it?
On the eve of Independence Day, the celebration begins. On September 15, 1810, Father Hidalgo, who was planning a revolt against the Spanish government, discovered that the Spaniards had ordered his arrest. On that day, he decided to move the original date of the revolt (October 2nd), and give the speech the very next day to rally the people.
So every September 15, approaching 11 p.m., the President of Mexico rings the same bell that Father Hidalgo rang and then re-enacts the famous speech El Grito from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City.
Other reenactments also occur – all over the country. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated not only in cities and towns throughout Mexico, but also by Mexicans, Mexican embassies and consulates around the world.
How is it celebrated?
Mexican Independence Day is a patriotic holiday celebrated by parades, festivities and street parties (fiestas), concerts, various programs, drum and marching band competitions. Streets are decorated with flowers, Mexican flags, lights and decorations in the flag’s colors: green, white and red.
The celebration wouldn’t be complete without the whistles, horns, confetti, and paper mache helmets. People set towers of braided willow and palm stalks on fire, exploding fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers.
Viva Mexico!
It was Father Hidalgo who shouted Viva Mexico (“Long live Mexico!”), and Viva la independencia (“Long live our independence!”) during his speech. With these cries, Hidalgo led his people in the rebellion.
These cries are the now-famous cry of Dolores. Viva Mexico has become a patriotic phrase that Mexicans commonly use to express their love of country. These revolutionary words are shouted each year at the Independence Day celebrations.
Celebrate it!
California, Los Angeles, Texas, and Huston all celebrate Mexican Independence Day with parades and other celebrations. You can watch the broadcast of the celebration in Mexico City's Zócalo on Univision.
Watch it in person, buy your Mexican car insurance and go across the border. See how Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on the streets of Mexico!
Get your Mexican car insurance
If this is the first time you’re traveling to Mexico, you may not know that Mexican authorities do not accept US or Canadian liability insurance. You’ll need to obtain Mexican car insurance from a trusted provider in the U.S.
Travel adequately covered with Oscar Padilla Mexican Insurance. Visit our website to get a free quote and purchase your Mexican car insurance online policy.
