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History Of Mexican Independence Day

Viva Mexico! Mexican Independence

The Mexican Day of Independence is probably the biggest holiday they celebrate. The history of Mexican Independence from Spain starts all the way back in the time of the Aztecs, who were forced to be converted to Catholisism and adopt the Spanish way of thinking and doing things. There were many battles, but was finally won in 1821, exactly 300 years after the Spanish took over and destroyed the Aztec empire. Between 1815 and 1821, it went from being an independence war to a guerrilla war. There were lots of battles between the heavily armed Spanish forces in Mexico City and the uprising of the Indian tribes and new found Mexicans, who were a mix of the indigenous people and the Spaniards. They did finally tire of being ruled by Spain, and with a series of attacks, they did win their independence. Late at night on the 15th of September 1810, Miguel Hidalgo declared war on the colonial government. They call this El Grito de Dolores, the cries of pain. Every midnight on the 15th/16th of September, the president stands in the Zoocalo (downtown Mexico City) and does the El Grito, exactly like Miguel Hidalgo did it so many years ago. I am not even Mexican, but to feel the energy of all the people packed in the square, the president reciting such old words, and hearing the whole crowd shout Mexicanos, viva Mexico! (Mexicans, long live Mexico) along with him is something to experience!