Independence Day in Mexico

After living in Mexico for 6 years or so, you get a little relaxed about things! Despite it being a week later, I still want to tell you about Mexico’s Independence Day. You always know the date is near when you start to see vendors on the street selling mexican flags, horns, streamers and more in the colors of green, white and red! Cars and homes and parks are often decorated with the flag and colors.

It is celebrated on the Sept 15th night and Sept 16th day. The history goes like this… In the year 1500, Spain conquered Mexico and named it New Spain. Life was difficult under Spanish rule and many of the native Mexicans (The Mayas and Aztecs) were forced into slavery. More than 300 years later, on September 16, 1810, a priest named Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla started a revolt against the Spanish. The Spanish were finally defeated in 1821 and now Mexican Independence is celebrated every year to remember the beginning of the struggle for freedom.

To remember this historical date, the celebrating begins on September 15 (the eve of Independence Day) by having crowds of people gather in the zocalos (town squares) of cities, towns, and villages. People sell confetti, whistles, horns, paper-machete helmets, and toys in the colors of red, white and green. Food is a big part of celebrating.

The people watch the time and when the clock strikes eleven o’clock (PM) the crowd gets silent. On the last strike of eleven the president of Mexico steps out on the palace balcony, and rings the historic liberty bell that Father Hidalgo rang to call the people. Then the president gives the Grito de Delores. He shouts “Viva Mexico” “Viva la independencia” and the crowd echos back. People do this at the same time all across Mexico. While the crowd says this they fill the air with confetti, streamers and noise. Castillos explode in showers of red, white, and green. Then people prepare for the next days’ celebration.

Personally, I celebrated with a group of friends with amazing mexican food, music and conversation. The next day it is typical for guests to return to the home of the party giver to eat leftovers! – Sherry Stevens