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Mexican Independence Day

Mexico is the best place to be on September 16, Mexican Independence Day. This fiesta-friendly holiday celebrates Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810, and it’s filled with national pride, colorful parades, mariachi concerts, and food, food, and more Sabrosa food.

People of Mexican heritage all over the world commemorate this important event in their country’s history when a brave priest in the village of Dolores rang his church bell and delivered a powerful speech that set the War of Independence from Spain in motion. Even the President of Mexico participates by ringing that same bell — now over 200 years old — live on TV the night before the big celebration.

When is Mexican Independence Day 2023?

Get festive and celebrate Mexican heritage on Mexican Independence Day on September 16.

History of Mexican Independence Day

Mexico, once known as New Spain, was a colony harshly ruled by the kingdom of Spain for over 300 years. The native population was oppressed, farmland and personal wealth were confiscated and only Spaniards were allowed to hold political posts. The oppression became too much and a Catholic priest in the town of Dolores named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had enough.

On September 16, 1810, he rang his church’s bell and delivered a speech now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), demanding the end of Spanish rule. This started the brutal Mexican War of Independence, which lasted over a decade. On August 24, 1821, Spain withdrew and officially recognized Mexico as an independent country. Today, Father Hidalgo is known as the Father of Mexican Independence. Mexican Independence Day has been celebrated every year since that momentous day on September 16, 1810. To promote education among Hispanic students many organizations and companies have established scholarships for Hispanic students, as another way of supporting Mexican independence.

Mexican Independence Day has developed into a huge nationwide celebration over the past 200-plus years. The country’s leaders were inspired by our own July 4 Independence Day festivities, so fireworks fill the skies at night and the day is filled with patriotic speeches, flag-waving, parades, live music, and home-cooked feasts. Red, white and green — the colors of the Mexican flag — are seen everywhere across Mexico and even cities in the U.S. with large Mexican populations.

One of the most popular events connected to Mexican Independence Day is when the President of Mexico rings the 200-year-old bell Father Hidalgo used in 1810 and recites the Grito de Dolores speech in front of 500,000 people. This event is broadcast live to millions via Mexican TV and radio on the evening of September 15.

Many people outside of Mexico think that Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo are the same things. Cinco de Mayo celebrates another victory when the outnumbered Mexican army defeated the powerful French militia in 1862 during the Battle of Puebla.

Mexican Independence Day timeline

April 21, 1519

300 Years of Spanish Rule

Spanish commander Hernán Cortés and his soldiers anchor off the Mexican coast, and the conquest and destruction of the mighty Aztec Empire begins.

September 16, 1810

El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores)

Father Hidalgo delivers his legendary speech, spurring the population to revolt against Spanish rule.

July 1811

Father Hidalgo is Executed by Spanish Forces.

His army, made up of loyal revolutionaries, continued to fight in his honor.

August 24, 1821

Mexico is Declared an Independent Country

Spain signs The Treaty of Cordoba, ending the War of Independence, declaring Mexico a free country.

Traditions of the Day

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with festive fireworks, fiestas or parties, and lots of good food and music. The colors for the day are of the Mexican flag — red, white, and green — which are seen everywhere in public areas along with flowers and other decorations. Mexicans jubilantly blow whistles and horns and throw confetti, and crowds chant “Viva la independencia nacional!” and “Viva Mexico!” in the streets.

Traditional mariachi music spices up the events with lively dancing. Of course, food is one of the most important aspects of Independence Day celebrations — restaurants and street vendors sell traditional Mexican food. Others prepare feasts at home to serve at parties. This includes fruit punch, candies like marzipan, ‘pozole’ — a soup made from hominy and pork, beef stew known as ‘Menudo,’ roast lamb, ‘Queso Fundido’ — a Mexican cheese fondue, and chips with guacamole and salsa. Popular beverages for parties are Mexican beer, sangria, or tequila.

By The Numbers

127.6 million – the population of Mexico.

$1.269 trillion – the gross domestic product of Mexico.

50 – the number of indigenous languages spoken in Mexico.

13th – the ranking of Mexico as the largest country in terms of land.

52 – the international dialing code for Mexico.

Mexican Independence Day FAQs

Can you watch the President of Mexico reenact the The Cry of Dolores in person?

Yes. If you travel to Mexico City and go to the National Palace on September 15 around 11 p.m., you can be among the 500,000 people watching the President ring the bell of Hidalgo and recite The Cry of Dolores in person.

Why is Mexican Independence Day not as popular a holiday as Cinco de Mayo is in the U.S.?

Some experts in international relations think that Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the USA because it celebrates Mexican culture overall and does not celebrate the start of a war in another country, which Mexican Independence Day does.

What is the Cinco de Mayo?

The Cinco de Mayo is a celebration commemorating the victory of the Mexicans over the French at the Battle of Puebla.

Where exactly is the town of Dolores in Mexico?

Dolores, the charming colonial town where Father Hidalgo gave his famous Cry of Dolores speech, is located in central Mexico. The church where Hidalgo gave his famous speech still stands and there is a museum dedicated to his life in town as well as affordable hotels in the area.

Is Mexico a third world country?

Although technically recognized as a 3rd world country, Mexico has a thriving economy, an incredibly developed infrastructure, and low infant mortality rates compared with most other counties of the world.

How to Observe Mexican Independence Day

Grab a table at your local Mexican restaurant: You don’t have to be Mexican to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy the festivities while you enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal and an ice cold cerveza.

Fly the Mexican flag: No matter where you live, celebrate Mexico’s independence by displaying the country’s distinctive green, white, and red flag. The vertical stripes represent — in order — independence, Roman Catholicism, and unity.

Watch or listen to the live broadcast of El Grito de Dolores reenactment: Settle down in front of your TV or radio when the President of Mexico delivers El Grito de Dolores, complete with bell ringing, at 11 p.m. on September 15. Then let the party begin!

5 Cool Facts About Mexican Independence Day

Eat the colors of the Mexican flag: Chiles En Nogada (poblano chiles stuffed with savory meat) features the three colors of the Mexican flag: green (fresh parsley), white (walnut cream sauce), and red (pomegranate seeds).

A Mexican household favorite: Beans are a staple of Mexican cooking, so buy some fresh pinto or black beans and whip up a hearty Mexican meal of Frijoles de la Olla (beans in a pot), which is basically a pot of simmered beans mixed with onion and garlic and topped with fresh sour cream.

Wash it down: Skip commonplace beverages like beer and margaritas and offer something different, like a traditional Mexican ponche (fruit punch) made from sugarcane, oranges, pears, guavas, raisins, and apples seasoned with cinnamon and clove.

Que es Queso?: Queso is the Spanish word for cheese, and the only thing cheesier than an overdramatic Mexican telenovela is Queso Fundido, a traditional Mexican fondue of melted white cheese simmered with lime juice, hot sauce and garlic.

Hangover Cure: Menudo, a rich, hearty stew made from stew beef, hominy (corn kernels), tripe (cow stomach lining) that’s cooked with onion, garlic, lime, and cilantro, is considered to be a traditional hangover cure for those who imbibe a few too many cervezas on September 16.

Why Mexican Independence Day is Important

It celebrates freedom: Just like July 4 in America or Bastille Day in France, Mexican Independence Day celebrates freedom. And we think there is nothing sweeter than freedom, unless you count Mazapán, a sweet peanut flavored Mexican candy.

It's a two day fiesta: Even though the official day of celebration is September 16, when banks, schools, and businesses are closed, many folks start gearing up on September 15, climaxing with the President’s reading of El Grito de Dolores live on TV at 11p.m.

It’s a day for Mexican cuisine: It’s probably one of the best days of the year to sample Mexican food! There will be an excess supply of it so get your taste buds ready for the feast.

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