El Dia de la Indepencia

With my Indian colleagues and Mexican friends in the thick of the Independencia party at Macroplaza

SEP 1999--We celebrated Mexico's 178th Independence Day in front of the Governor's Palace in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, being one with the multitude of Regiomontanos.

Backgrounder: The Mexican Independence Day is a major holiday in Mexico, the celebration begins every September 15th at 11 pm in every single city and town in Mexico. In Mexico City, the President, following the ritual, rings the historic liberty bell that Father Hidalgo rang to call the people. Then gives the El Grito (The Cry). He shouts Mexicanos, ¡Viva Mexico! and the crowd echos back, establishing the tradition which has been solemnly followed every year thereafter.  And it is echoed by the governor of each state throughout the country.

The Cry may include other acclamations, such as the one included by President Benito Juarez to honor all those who sacrificed to make Mexico free: Long live the Heroes of our Independence! No one really knows what Hidalgo actually told the people.

With Carina, Nancy and Fernando

After the last ¡Viva México! is cried, the president waves the flag, rings the bell, and the National Anthem is sung. The next day, there is a civic ceremony, and a military parade. The actual day of September 16 is similar to Fourth of July in the United States. There are rodeos, parades, bullfights and horseback rider performances. The people feast and recall Hidalgo's speeches. There are statues in memory of Father Hidalgo and people decorate them with flowers. In cities with large Mexican communities outside of Mexico, the Mexican Consul does the traditional Grito. The show usually features traditional Mexican dances, singers, a rock group formed by Mexican students and of course, the mariachis.