Mexican Independence Day (2023)

FAQs

Mexican Independence Day? ›

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.

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.

September 16 marks an eventful day in the history of Mexico. It was on this day in 1810 that Miguel Hidalgo declared Independence from Spain, which is celebrated even today.

Cry of Dolores. Early on the morning of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned the largely Indian and mestizo congregation of his small Dolores parish church and urged them to take up arms and fight for Mexico's independence from Spain.

On 24 August 1821, representatives of the Spanish crown, including the new viceroy Juan O'Donojú and Iturbide signed the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexican independence under the Plan of Iguala.

Cinco de Mayo History

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, a popular misconception. Instead, it commemorates a single battle. In 1861, Benito Juárez—a lawyer and member of the Indigenous Zapotec tribe—was elected president of Mexico.

Mexican Independence is celebrated on the 15 and 16 of September in Mexico, not on the fifth of May, or Cinco de Mayo. This is the date that commemorates Miguel Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores, or cry for independence, in 1810, beginning what would be an 11 year battle against Spanish forces.

The Grito de Dolores ("Cry of/from Dolores") was the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence, uttered on September 16, 1810, by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato, Mexico.

He shouts "¡Viva Mexico!" and "¡Viva la independencia!" and the crowd roars the words back at him. Fiestas celebrating independence take place that night and the next day-throughout Mexico.

Mexican Independence Day is often referred to as “El Grito” or “El Grito de Independencia,” a tribute to the battle cry that launched a rebellion in 1810. Like America's 4th of July, the celebration of freedom is a giant fiesta with colorful parades, parties and family gatherings featuring food and fireworks.

When did Spain lose Mexico? ›

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, it included most of the viceroyalty of New Spain, minus the Caribbean and the Philippines.

Iturbide defeated the Royalist forces still opposed to independence, and the new Spanish viceroy, lacking money, provisions, and troops, was forced to accept Mexican independence. On August 24, 1821, O'Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, thus ending New Spain's dependence on Old Spain.

After the fall of the Aztec Empire, Spain called their new lands the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and ruled over Mexico for the next three hundred years.

In September of 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, the parish priest of the small town of Dolores in central Mexico, uttered the country's cry for independence. He called not only for liberation from Spain, but also for the end of slavery and the return of lands to the Indigenous inhabitants.

Independence of Mexico. Although the Spanish crown initially rejected O'Donojú's recognition of Mexican independence, the date now recognized as that of separation from Old Spain is in fact August 24, 1821.

From the stone cities of the Maya to the might of the Aztecs, from its conquest by Spain to its rise as a modern nation, Mexico boasts a rich history and cultural heritage spanning more than 10,000 years.

While Mexico won a battle that day, it did not win its independence. That wouldn't happen until September 16th, 1810, which is the nation's actual birthday. But unlike the U.S., which celebrates Independence Day exclusively on July 4th, Mexico takes two days to celebrate — because that's just how it rolls.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is not that important in Mexico. They mainly celebrate it in the state of Puebla. In Mexico, they honor Independence Day on September 16, which is the nation's most important national holiday. In the United States, though, Cinco de Mayo has become a way to honor Mexican culture and heritage.

The official legal name of the country is 'United Mexican States'.

But it isn't as widely celebrated in Mexico because the holiday in America celebrates the larger Mexican American culture. A misconception is that Cinco de Mayo honors Mexico's independence, according to Amilcar Challu, an associate professor of history at Bowling Green State University.

When did Mexico gain independence? ›

September 16, 1810 – September 27, 1821

Mexican War of Independence / Period

After gaining independence in 1821, the country was left in a poor state. Agricultural, mining and industrial production had fallen during the war, and over half a million Mexicans had died.

Like every year, the President of Mexico stands on the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico city and waves the flag after giving a speech similar to what Miguel Hidalgo did 200 years ago.

Mexico's Independence Day marks the beginning of a decade-long revolution. Commonly confused with Cinco de Mayo in the U.S., this holiday celebrates the moment when Father Hidalgo called for Mexico's independence from Spain in September 1810.

Apart from the Grito de Dolores reenactments, Mexicans commemorate Mexican Independence Day in a variety of ways. Flags festoon buildings and there are fireworks, fiestas, music, and of course, delicious Mexican food. People host parties at home while restaurants and street vendors bring ambiance to neighborhoods.

The Revolutions in France and the United States inspired the people of New Spain to push back against Spanish authoritarianism. A major prime mover towards this was the Napoleonic occupation of mainland Spain in the 19th century, triggering tensions and miscommunication between Spain, and New Spain (Mexico).

How to Say 'Happy Mexican Independence Day' in Spanish. In the speech delivered by Hidalgo on September 16, he shouted, "Viva Mexico!" and "Viva la independencia!" To wish people a "Happy Mexican Independence Day," simply repeat his words: "Viva Mexico!" and "Viva la independencia!"

Viva México, of course, essentially means “long live Mexico.” It's an expression of solidarity and support for the nation frequently shared among countrymen. But güey, pronounced and sometimes spelled wey, is a slang term used to refer to people without using their name.

“The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.

Mexico's most popular team sport is association football. Football is widely followed and practiced all over the country and it is considered the most popular sport in most states. It is believed that football was introduced in Mexico by English Cornish miners at the end of the 19th century.

How is Mexican Independence Day different from the United States? ›

While it may seem similar, Mexico's fight for independence was different than the United States' Revolutionary War. Mexican Independence Day coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month. Mexican Independence Day often gets overshadowed or confused with Cinco de Mayo, but they're not the same thing.

First Spanish colonies

Spain had maintained a number of missions and presidios in New Spain since 1519. The Crown laid claim to the north coastal provinces of California in 1542.

The majority of Mexicans have varying degrees of Spanish and Native Mesoamerican ancestry and have been classified as "Mestizos".

Pre-Hispanic Mexico

Prior to the time when the Spaniards first set foot on Mexican soil, this land was home to many of the world's great civilizations such as the Aztecs, the Mayas, the Toltecs, the Mixtecs, the Zapotecs and the Olmecs.

The Spanish attempts to reconquer Mexico were an effort by the Spanish government to regain possession of its former colony of New Spain, resulting in episodes of war comprised in clashes between the newly born Mexican nation and Spain.

Spain's purposes to colonize Mexico and the other colonies were getting new land, resources, and to spread Christianity. As they conquered Mexico, they got new land. Spain plundered lots of resources from their colonies, opened up trade and get profits and spread Christianity.

Most of their ancestors arrived during the colonial period but further hundreds of thousands have since then immigrated, especially during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. The Encyclopædia Britannica states those of predominantly European descent make up closer to one-sixth (≈17%) of the Mexican population.

The Olmecs, Mexico's first known society, settled on the Gulf Coast near what is now Veracruz.

First Encounters: The Conquest and Colonization of Mexico

Hernán Cortés and a small group of Spanish soldiers conquered Mexico in 1521, just two years after they landed near the modern-day city of Veracruz.

Nahuatl was the lingua franca of the Aztecs, who ruled Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries before they were conquered by the Spaniards.

What was the first black city in Mexico? ›

The City of Yanga was founded after a group of enslaved Africans, led by Gaspar Yanga, rebelled against colonial rule.

They bravely laid siege to Tenochtitlán for months and finally captured it on Aug. 13, 1521, with the Spanish taking their rightful place as leaders of the land we now know as Mexico. Conquest accomplished.

By the 19th century many Mexicans wanted to separate from Spain and create a sovereign government that would act on behalf of their own interests much like the movement for American independence from British rule in the late 18th century. The desire for independence from Spanish rule first formally emerged in 1810.

By its terms, Mexico ceded 55 percent of its territory, including the present-day states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Mexican Texas is the historiographical name used to refer to the era of Texan history between 1821 and 1836, when it was part of Mexico. Mexico gained independence in 1821 after winning its war against Spain, which began in 1810. Initially, Mexican Texas operated similarly to Spanish Texas.

In general, Mexicans have both European and Amerindian ancestries, and the proportion varies by region and individuals. African ancestry is also present, but in lower proportion. There is genetic asymmetry, with the direct paternal line predominately European and the maternal line predominately Amerindian.

Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day? No. Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day in the United States, but Mexican independence is actually celebrated on Sept. 16.

That holiday occurs on September 16 each year, the anniversary of the Grito de Dolores, a speech and battle cry uttered by Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 that inspired the movement that ultimately freed Mexico from Spanish rule.

— On Sept. 15, it marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which coincides with a number of Independence Day celebrations for Central American countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and others. Mexican Independence Day is officially recognized on Sept.

Mexico's Independence Day marks the beginning of a decade-long revolution. Commonly confused with Cinco de Mayo in the U.S., this holiday celebrates the moment when Father Hidalgo called for Mexico's independence from Spain in September 1810.

Why do people mistake Cinco de Mayo for Mexican Independence Day? ›

What is Cinco de Mayo? People often mistake Cinco de Mayo for a celebration of Mexican independence, which is not actually correct. Rather, the holiday celebrates a failed French invasion after a fledgling Mexican state defaulted on debt payments to European governments.

France withdrew from Mexico in 1867. Cinco de Mayo - which literally translates to “May 5″ - is not Mexican Independence Day, a totally separate holiday that is celebrated on Sept. 16, and marks the start of the war of Mexican independence from Spain.

1. It's not Mexico's Independence Day: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the triumph of the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This victory occurred over 50 years after Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16.

HOUSTON — It's one of Mexico's most important holidays and is celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican descendants worldwide. Mexican Independence Day is often referred to as “El Grito” or “El Grito de Independencia,” a tribute to the battle cry that launched a rebellion in 1810.

Every 15 September at around 11 p.m., the President of Mexico stands on the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City and rings the same bell that Hidalgo rang in 1810, which was moved to the National Palace.

Chiles en nogada is a special dish in Mexico eaten around the month of September to celebrate Independence Day. This summer marked 200 years since its creation.

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, it included most of the viceroyalty of New Spain, minus the Caribbean and the Philippines.