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El Grito: the speech that sparked the Independence war
The origins of the Fiestas Patrias reach back to the early 19th century, in the first moments of the fight for the independence of Mexico. At the time, the mounting local bourgeoisie of New Spain, the criollos, were hitting the glass ceiling imposed by the dominating Spaniards.
The criollo thus formed an independence movement, headed by Ignacio Allende, José María Morelos and Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who succeeded in uniting behind themselves the mestizos (of mixed European and Native origins) and some Native groups.
The beginning of the fight for independence is traditionally said to be September 16, 1810, the day Father Miguel de Hidalgo took up an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as his ensign, rang the bell of the church of Dolores and launched his famous Grito, the original cry for the independence of Mexico. He was later to abolish slavery -some 50 years before the American Proclamation of Emancipation- and unfair taxes affecting the Natives.
After 10 years of fighting against the Spaniards, the Independence of Mexico was finally made official in 1820, once again in September. |
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Nowadays, a series of events are held in every locality of Mexico to commemorate the important patriotic events that occurred during this month.
The most important of all is, of course, the Día de la Independencia, or Independence Day, which is actually celebrated over two days, on September 15 and 16. The festivities are prepared long in advance, and any good menu is sure to feature the most typical national dishes.
On the night of September 15, the mayors in every town appear at the balcony of the city hall on the Zócalo, or central place, and give to their fellow citizens a modern rendition of the Grito de Dolores, just as Miguel de Hidalgo did one fair morning in 1810. This historical re-enactment is a tradition reaching back to the late 19th century, and the modern version is dedicated to the memory of the national heroes and to the independence. Here is a typical version of a Grito address:
"Mexicanos: ¡Viva nuestra independencia! (Fellow Mexicans, long live our independence!)
¡Viva Hidalgo! (Long live Hidalgo!)
¡Viva Morelos! (Long live Morelos!)
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron patria! (Long live the heroes who gave us this nation!)
¡Viva nuestra libertad! (Long live our freedom!)
¡VIVA MEXICO! (Long live Mexico!)
¡VIVA MEXICO!
¡VIVA MEXICO!
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The Grito is given by mayors of all cities and towns across the nation, but the largest and most impressive celebration of all happens on the Zócalo of Mexico City, where the president appears at the balcony of the Palacio Nacional, seat of the government, in front of an audience of hundreds of thousands. The head of state gives his Independence Day address, and then rings the same bell that was hit by Father Hidalgo in Dolores in 1810.
The festivities in the Colonial cities of central Mexico are also quite a sight to see, each one adding its peculiar local touch to the nationwide celebration. Here are a few places where visitors are sure to find a whole range of activities for the two-day long festivities.
For more information about the history of Mexican Independence, please visit:
http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/historia-independencia.htm
Also see our monthly calendar for a list of things to see and do in Mexico in September, including many local celebrations of the Fiestas Patrias:
http://www.visitmexico.com/wb/presscanada/pres_2008 |
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Planning a trip to Mexico?
Want to know more about what Mexico has to offer?
Call the Mexico Tourism Board at 1-800-44-MEXICO or visit our website. You may also contact our Canadian office at the corresponding number below:
| Toll-Free: 1-866-895-5297 |
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