This day in history: Mexico's Independence Day September 16
By Tania Dooley
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| Image credit: Filip Gielda Via Unsplash |
In Mexico and some Mexican-Americans in the states celebrate Independence Day today, September 16. Many people often confuse this day with Cinco de Mayo, (May 5th) which celebrates the defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla. September 16th is not the day a battle or war was won; instead, it was the day independence from Spain was proclaimed in the famous speech given by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest. So what it celebrates is the end of 300 years of Spanish rule in Mexico.
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| Image Credit: Jorge Aguilar Via Unsplash |
Father Hidalgo's proclamation of independence on 1810 is known as the "Grito de Dolores" or simply "El Grito." Even though it was named this way because this proclamation was read in the town of Dolores, it is interesting that it translates into "The Cry of Pain" which highlights the pain of being ruled by a European country who did not have the best interest of the colony in mind. If it had so, they would not have wanted independence so fervently.
Father Hidalgo is regarded as an important figure in this revolutionary war against Spain because he was a progressive thinker and was highly involved and influential in the discussions with the ruling class in Mexico. A ruling class that even while having special privileges, still insisted on gaining independence. After Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, there were concerns that racial inequality would continue in Mexico, and that land would be re-distributed to more Spaniards (history.com, June 10, 2019) .
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| Image Credit: Alain Bonnardeaux Via Unsplash |
Eventually Mexico won, but unfortunately Father Hidalgo was captured and his head was decapitated. His legacy remains and is now known as "The Father of Mexican Independence." Not surprisingly, this day is one of Mexico's biggest holidays highly celebrated in some of its major cities such as Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Mexico City.
References
History.com (June 10, 2019). Struggle for Mexican Independence. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from
History.com (March 3, 2020). This day in history. September 16. Mexican War of Independence begins. Retrieved September 16, 2020 from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mexican-war-of-independence-begins
For more on Cinco de Mayo read this blog post
