Culture

Mexican Independence Day- September 16; Hispanic Heritage Month

by Jordan Yerman | September 15, 2009 at 10:07 am

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September 16 (diez y seis de septiembre) is Mexican Independence Day, also known as El Grito de Dolores or El Grito de Independencia (the cry of independence) due to its inciting event. (We may as well learn about this now, as it's Hispanic Heritage Month) Mexico celebrates 199 years as an independent country, having declared independence from Spain in 1810. El Grito de Independencia (words to the effect of "Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe, death to Spain!"), shouted by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla as he addressed his Roman Catholic congregation in Dolores late at night on September 15, signaled the beginning of Mexico's ten-year war for independence from Spanish rule. This cry is also referred to as El Grito de Dolores.

Just before midnight on September 15, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo called for the people of his parish to join in a struggle for national independence in a famous speech, known to history as the Grito de Dolores. That first Grito began with the ringing of church bells in the state of Guanajuato to call the Mexican people to a movement for independence. In the United States, we remember the peals of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia that made the same call. Our two nations share a rich and interwoven history and a future that depends on our strong partnership.

It's customary for the current President of Mexico to deliver the Grito de Independencia at 11pm on September 15.

September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Yahoo! Español and Kodak are celebrating with Muestra Tu Herencia (Show Your Heritage), an interactive photo-sharing project.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, PBS will premiere Latin Music USA, a four-hour documentary series celebrating the Latin rhythms at the heart of jazz, rock, country and rhythm and blues and highlighting the great American music created by Latinos.

Note: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, but commemoration of the battle of Puebla in 1862.

Also see patgarcia's coverage from last year.

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a211423

at 08:10 on September 16th, 2009

Thank you for posting this in the interest of historical accuracy. A lot of people think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence.

patgarcia

at 11:56 on September 19th, 2009

As I listened to our National Anthem this year I had an overwhelming feeling of sadness about my nation. A feeling like never before. A nation in need of freedom from corruption, growing organized crime, extreme poverty and the ignorance it brings, a country attacked by swine fever and natural disasters. A country that has been losing it´s heritage, its family and moral values. Thanks for your post Jordan