Happy Independence Day for all Mexicans!
By stvasile
@stvasile (7306)
Romania
September 15, 2007 6:48pm CST
The "Grito de Dolores" was the call for the independence of Mexico given by Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810, in the town of Dolores, near Guanajuato. "Grito de Dolores" is a pun in Spanish: it can mean both "The Shout from [the town of] Dolores," and "The Cry of Sorrows," signifying the sorrows (or pain, or grievances) that Spain's rule caused Mexico.
Hidalgo rang the church bell to gather his congregation, then called for Mexican independence, the exile or arrest of all Spaniards in Mexico, and ended by calling out, "Mexicanos, ¡Viva México!" (Mexicans, long live Mexico!) Shortly after this speech Hidalgo gathered an army and tried to take over the government but he was eventually defeated.
Mexico's independence was recognized by the Spanish viceroy in 1821 after a decade-long War of Independence. Since the late 19th century, a re-enactment has become traditional: the President of Mexico rings Hidalgo's bell (now at the National Palace on the Zócalo in Mexico City) and repeats Hidalgo's words (or a variant thereof) every year at 11:00 P.M. on the night of September 15. On the following day, September 16, a military parade starts in the Zócalo and ends at Paseo de la Reforma.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
2 Oct 07
thank you for sharing this important event in the history of mexico, stvasile. this is the first time that i have known about this. it is used to be said that mexico and the philippines are sister countries simply because, both countries had been under the rule of spain during those times of the conquistadores. thus, the kind of treatment that mexico got from the spaniards, the filipinos had their share at a much worse scenario. this is because the spaniards had learned from mexico that it is not good to educate the colonized people. for, just as mexico did, the people will eventually rise in arms in due time.
1 person likes this
@rainbow2007star (920)
•
14 Jul 08
Mexican Independence Day is a major celebration in Mexico. The people of Mexico celebrate with a fiesta. A fiesta is a party or festival. Fiestas are held for many different reasons that vary from honoring a person, to events in Mexico's history. Fiestas can be simple or elaborate and can last from one day, up to a week or more. There are many things that can happen during a fiesta, some of these things are colorful parades, music, dancing, eating spicy food, drinking strong drinks, bullfights, rodeos, and fireworks. Vendors come and set up booths to sell toys, souvenirs, food and drinks.