The Historical Significance of September 16 and How Mexicans Commemorate Their Freedom
Every year on 16 September, Mexicans worldwide celebrate the nation’s independence, marking the historic moment when the fight for freedom from Spanish colonial rule began. The date commemorates the moment in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest in Dolores, issued a passionate call for Mexico to rise up and seek independence. Though Mexico did not officially gain independence until 1821, Hidalgo’s “Grito de Dolores” is seen as the spark that ignited the revolution. Mexican Independence Day is a vibrant celebration, full of parades, traditional foods, music, and, most notably, the reenactment of Hidalgo’s call for freedom.
