Mexican Independence Day + GG MX Independence Day Celebration 🎉
Happy Mexican Independence Day!
What is Mexican Independence Day?
Early on the morning of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned the largely Indian and mestizo congregation of his small Dolores parish church and urged them to take up arms and fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain. His El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, which was spoken—not written—is commemorated on September 16 as Mexican Independence Day.
According to the Library of Congress, Hidalgo is believed to have said, "My Children, a new dispensation comes to us today…Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen 300 years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once.”
Although Mexico’s Independence was not won immediately, that day—and its uprising—is typically considered the beginning of the war that eventually brought the country’s independence. After ten years of fighting, a weakened and divided Mexico finally won independence from Spain with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba on August 24, 1821. Although the Treaty of Cordoba was signed in August, the date that is recognized by Spain and is officially considered the end of the war is September 27th!
How is it celebrated in Mexico?
Although Mexican Independence Day is on September 16th, celebrations of Mexican Independence Day actually begin at 11 p.m. on September 15th, when Mexico’s president rings a bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and repeats Hidalgo's famous words, to crowds that have gathered at the Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, one of the largest public plazas in the world. After each line, the spectators—an estimated more than 500,000 citizens and tourists—chant back, "¡Viva!" (This ritual is repeated in squares around the country.)
¡Mexicanos!
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron patria!
¡Viva Hidalgo!
¡Viva Morelos!
¡Viva Josefa Ortíz de Dominguez!
¡Viva Allende!
¡Vivan Aldama y Matamoros!
¡Viva la Independencia Nacional!
¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!
In true Mexican celebratory fashion, families get together on the night of the 15th. Traditional dishes like pozole (prepared with an endemic corn variety), chiles en nogada (stuffed chili peppers with a sweet, nut sauce), or any combination of “antojitos” (corn-based appetizers) are the staple for dinner. Tequila or mezcal-based drinks are the go-to. The televised fireworks accompanying the president’s “grito” are a usual backdrop to the get-together. This night is considered ‘Noche Mexicana.’
A Few Fun Facts about Mexican Independence Day:
Mexico's Bell of Independence: The bell that the Mexican president's ring at every yearly "Grito" is the very same bell rung by Miguel Hidalgo back in 1810. In 1896, the bell was moved from the church in Dolores (now known as Dolores Hidalgo), Guanajuato to the National Palace in the heart of Mexico City.
Miguel Hidalgo’s face didn’t look the way artists portray it nowadays: Spaniards got rid of Miguel Hidalgo y Cotilla's portraits so painters had to create an image based on his brothers’ features. According to sources, Hidalgo y Costilla wasn’t bald or had gray hair, he was featured like that because when he was murdered part of his scalp was missing.
Huge Celebrations occur in various places: Mexican Independence Day is also celebrated in communities with large Mexican-heritage populations such as Texas, Houston, and Los Angeles!
Several Central American countries celebrated their Independence on the same day: In 1810, they were still part of the Virreinato de la Nueva España (viceroyalty of New Spain) and later were each established as independent states.
GumGum Mexico Independence Day Celebration Outing
In celebration of Mexican Independence Day, our Mexico-based GumGummers got together and enjoyed a private mixology master class, mezcal tasting, and a curated 4-course dinner on the beautiful terrace at Maison Artemisia. They had a great time learning and connecting over delicious food and drinks and celebrating the rich culture and history of Mexico!
