Mexican Independence Day is celebrated every 16th of September each year in the country of Mexico. It is a public national holiday and is also known as “Dia de la Independencia” or “Grito de Dolores”. This day commemorates the day of the Mexican war against Spain which eventually led to the country’s independence from Spanish rule on September 16, 1810.
About the Mexican Independence Day
During Mexican Independence Day, people celebrate by lighting up fireworks, partying with food (also known as fiestas), dancing, and playing music. Decorations for this day include flags, flowers, and other decors that are colored in white, green, and red (which are the colors of the Mexican flag). Celebration noise is made by blowing horns and whistles. Confetti are thrown as well. People shout “Viva la Independencia” or “Viva Mexico” to celebrate the country’s freedom.
Mexican Independence Day is celebrated as a national public holiday in the country. Therefore, schools, banks, government offices, and various businesses are closed. Some roads or streets are closed in order to make way for parades and other large celebrations. There are still some forms of public transport available. However, people who intend to use that should check with the public transit authorities about route changes and more importantly, the timetable.
History
In specific, Mexican Independence Day commemorates the proclamation made by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores near Guanajuato. Such proclamation called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. This encouraged rebellion and insurrection against the Spanish colonizers.
During this time around, however, the Spanish Empire was already weakening primarily due to Napoleon’s invasion of Spain. Hence, imperial rule was replaced by juntas in both American and Spanish Colonies. King Fernando VII of Spain was held hostage by Napoleon.
What is the Proclamation made by Father Hidalgo in Dolores?
Hidalgo ordered the ringing of the church bell to gather his congregates. He then shouted, “Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe! Viva Fernando VII! Abajo el mal Gobierno!“ (which means “Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Long live Fernando VII! Down with the bad government!”). This called for insurrection. The reality about such a statement is that there are some experts reputing what he actually said.
Following this proclamation, an army was raised in order to overthrow the Junta government. Unfortunately, he was defeated. But the struggle for freedom did not diminish. He started to demand full independence from all the Spanish and American colonies. He also demanded the arrest or exile of all Spaniards in Mexico.
When did Mexico achieve its independence from Spain?
After ten long years of struggle for freedom, war of independence that Mexico fought hard for was finally attained on September 27, 1821. However, the Mexican Independence Day is celebrated each year on the 16th of September.
Dates
As mentioned earlier, the independence day in Mexico is celebrated every September 16 of each year. This means that the dates of celebration for this holiday are as follows:
- Wednesday, September 16, 2015
- Friday, September 16, 2016
- Saturday, September 16, 2017
- Sunday, September 16,
- Monday, September 16,
- Wednesday, September 16,
- Thursday, September 16,
- Friday, September 16, 2022
- Saturday, September 16, 2023
- Monday, September 16, 2024
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Why Do We Celebrate the Mexican Independence Day?
The following are the main reasons why you should participate in the celebration of the Mexican Independence Day:
The Day Has Been Celebrated for Over 100 Years
The Cry of Dolores has been a symbol of independence since 1820. It commemorates the famous speech made by father Hidalgo. This speech became the inspiration for Mexicans to fight for their freedom. The speech has been one of the most significant parts of Mexican history. Hence, it is an important concept worth celebrating by you.
It is Actually a Tow-Day Celebration
Who doesn’t love to celebrate as many days as they want? Although the Mexican independence day is celebrated every 15th of September, people in Mexico actually participate in the Cry of Dolores every September 15, one hour before midnight. This is in preparation for the partying and feasting which will happen on the following day. So if you want a two-day celebration of independence, you should join this one.
The President Reenacts the Cry for Independence Each Year
Each year, during the Mexican independence day, the president will ring the bell of the national palace located in Mexico City. This reenacts the ringing of the bell in Dolores where Father Hidalgo gatheres his congregation for the cry. The president will then give his speech and then ends it by shouting “¡Viva Mexico!” If you want to witness this historical moment, you should celebrate the day.
Celebration Ideas and Activities
The following are the best things to do to make your celebration of the Mexican Independence Day as best as it can be:
Wave Your Flag
One of the most important symbols for this day is the Mexican flag composed of the colors white, red, and green. If you are Mexican, wherever you may be, prepare your flag for this day and wave it to celebrate your country’s independence.
Watch the presidential reenactment
As mentioned earlier, the Mexican President gives a speech and a shout of a phrase and also rings a bell to reenact the moment that set into action the Mexican War for Independence. You can either watch it personally or tune in on TV for a live broadcast which occurs every 15th of September at 11pm.
Enjoy to the Fullest
You should not let this day pass by without you doing all the fun activities for the celebration. you should join festivals, feasts of foods, colorful parades, and mariachi bands. You should celebrate this day with your friends and family for all of you to have fun celebrating the freedom of the country.
Mexican Independence Day Messages and Greetings
- Let the spirit of freedom fly and soar up high. Wish you a grand Mexican Independence Day. Viva Mexico.
- On the day of celebration of the independence of Mexico celebrate the moment of insurgency, the possibility, and the hope.
- The beginning of the struggle is commemorated on the Independence Day of a country. Happy Independence day. Viva Independencia.
- On the day of independence of Mexico you should celebrate the heroes who sacrificed their lives to bring about this glorious day to Mexico.
- On Mexican Independence day, wind up the beloved Mexican flag and let it soar high. Celebrate this festive occasion by saluting and honoring it. Viva Mexico.
- Never forget the sacrifice of thousands of people who laid their lives so that their country can breathe in the free and fresh air. Happy Independence day. Viva Mexico.
- Mexican Independence day is the day to remember that the only prison that we need to escape is the prison of our minds. Once we escape that we can open our minds and feel the freedom. Viva Independencia.
- Liberty is only granted to those who not only love it but can also guard and defend it. Wish you a Happy Mexican Independence Day. Viva Mexico.
- Mexican Independence day teaches us that the course of history can be changed by small actions and kind hearts. Viva Independencia.
- All the strength of a nation resides in the homes of its people. Wish you a Happy Mexican Independence Day. Viva Mexico.
Mexican Independence Day Quotes
- “Taking it as a whole, Mexico is a grand city, and, as Cortes truly said, its situation is marvelous.” — Edward Burnett Tyler
- “Siendo contra los clamores de la naturaleza vender a los hombres, quedan abolidas las leyes” – Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (English: “Being against the cries of nature to sell to men, the laws are abolished.”)
- “La lengua guarda al pescuezo” – Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (English: “The tongue holds the neck.”)
- “El indulto es para los criminales, no para los defensores de la patria” – Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (English: “Pardon is for the criminals, not for the defenders of the homeland.”)
- “¡Viva la independencia! ¡Viva la América! ¡Muera el mal gobierno!” – Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (English: “Live the independence! Long live America! Bad government died!”)
- “Sin importar el tamaño de la ciudad o pueblo en donde nacen los hombres o las mujeres, ellos son finalmente el tamaño de su obra, del tamaño de su voluntad de engrandecer y enriquecer a sus hermanos” – Ignacio Allende, a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came to sympathize with the Mexican independence movement (English: “Regardless of the size of the city or town where men or women are born, they are finally the size of their work, the size of their will to enlarge and enrich their brothers.”)
- “Cuando el pueblo salta sus barreras, casi ningún esfuerzo es bastante poderoso para detenerlo” – Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of the Mexican Republic (English: “When the people jump their barriers, almost no effort is powerful enough to stop it.”)
- “Tantos soldados para custodiar una pobre mujer, pero yo con mi sangre les formare un patrimonio a mis hijos” – Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, insurgent and supporter of the Mexican War of Independence (English: “So many soldiers to guard a poor woman, but with my blood I will form a heritage for my children.”)
- “¡Que se eduque a los hijos del labrador y del barrendero como a los del más rico hacendado!” – José María Morelos y Pavón, Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader (English: “Let the children of the farmer and the sweeper be educated as those of the richest landowner!”)
- “Soy siervo de la nación porque esta asume la más grande legitima e inviolable de las soberanías” – José María Morelos y Pavón (English: “I am a servant of the nation because it assumes the greatest legitimacy and inviolable sovereignty”)
- “La soberanía dimana inmediatamente del pueblo” – José María Morelos y Pavón (English: “Sovereignty comes immediately from the people”)
- “Morir es nada cuando por la patria se muere” – José María Morelos y Pavón (English: “Dying is nothing when the country dies”)