people celebrating Mexican Independence Day

  • HISTORY & CULTURE

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.

On September 16, Mexicans around the globe will celebrate the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain. The day is marked by a national holiday in Mexico, a reenactment of a historic moment from the revolution’s leader, and an array of performances from fireworks to dance routines.

Often confused with Cinco de Mayo by people living in the United States, Mexico’s independence day actually marks the moment in 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest known as Father Hidalgo , made the first cry for independence. After a moving speech in the Mexican town of Dolores, Hidalgo took up the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a Roman Catholic image of the Virgin Mary as she appears to Juan Diego , an indigenous Mexican believer who was later sainted by the church.

“Independence commemorates the beginning [of the struggle],” says Elena Albarrán, associate professor of history and global and intercultural studies at Miami University in Ohio. “In this case, you celebrate the moment of insurgency, the possibility, and the hope.”

A decade-long struggle

As Hidalgo took up the banner of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, many people were inspired to follow him. Albarrán says they amassed a large, unruly, hodgepodge army that included women, children, grandparents, and livestock. Untrained and difficult to control, it was eventually defeated, with many of its members going back home to harvest their fields.

Hidalgo was defrocked as a priest by the Spanish Inquisition , says William Beezley, professor of history at the University of Arizona. He was later beheaded by the civil government as punishment for revolting, and his head was displayed in Guanajuato, where he and his army were charged with causing a massacre.

Another priest, José María Morelos , took up the mantle of revolution, sending home anyone from the first army without a weapon and horse. Beezley says this tighter version of the army was more effective, but Morelos was also eventually taken before the Inquisition and beheaded—and the struggle for independence sunk into a period of chaos as Mexico continued to fight a weakening Spanish rule.

Then, in 1821, Agustín de Iturbide , a Spanish-supporting soldier who flipped to become a leader in the Mexican independence movement, led troops into Mexico City, decisively seizing control of the city and declaring the country’s independence. His following political promise, called the Plan of Iguala or the Plan of Three Guarantees, sought to free Mexico from Spanish control, solidify the country as Roman Catholic, and ensure that all citizens were equal. Iturbide became emperor of the new nation, setting up a monarchy-style system and spending much of the new country’s budget on lavish clothes that resembled Austrian royal court fashions at the time.

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Ultimately, this system failed as well. Military leaders jostled and vied for power, and, finally, a democratic republic was set up, led by an independence-era fighter— Guadalupe Victoria —who became Mexico’s first president.

“Mexicans don’t celebrate or acknowledge Iturbide as the father of independence,” Albarrán says. “The hero that’s selected as the father of independence uniformly is Father Hidalgo, the charismatic but disastrous priest who gets the ball rolling.”

a map of Mexico in 1814

Map of Mexico, 1814

Confusion with Cinco de Mayo

In America, people often confuse Mexico’s independence day celebrations with Cinco de Mayo, says Albarrán: “Every time I teach Mexican history and I ask students when the Mexican independence day is, they either have no idea, which is fine, or fully half or the majority assume it’s Cinco de Mayo.”

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She says many Americans assume Cinco de Mayo came to the U.S. because immigrant communities brought it with them, but a big reason why the holiday is so played up in the U.S. is corporate promotion from adult beverage companies.

“Beer advertisers began promoting beer sales in Mexican communities and neighborhoods,” says Beezley. “It was an advertising gimmick and the date was wrong. It’s still sponsored in a lot of places that way.”

Albarrán says because Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in Mexico, it is celebrated on a vastly different scale there than it is in the U.S. She has seen this difference illuminated by her students. During an assignment where she asked students to blog with their peers in Mexico City, U.S. students posted about Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S.

“The Mexican students could not believe it,” she says. “They were cracking up, rolling around laughing. They couldn’t believe the hodgepodge of Mexican iconography and kitsch being incorporated into the U.S. celebration.” ( Here's why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated )

Remembering the first revolt

As per tradition on Mexico’s independence day, however, the president honors the legacy of Father Hidalgo by performing a reenactment of sorts from the National Palace in Mexico City. Beezley says on the night of September 15 at 11 p.m., according to Mexican tradition and folklore, Hidalgo went into the parish church in the town of Dolores, rang the church bell, and told the villagers who came running that they needed to revolt.

“As a result, September 15, the president of Mexico will step out on the balcony, ring that same bell, and give a speech that is supposedly Hidalgo’s words,” he says. “Nobody wrote down what Hidalgo said. He was beheaded, so who knows what happened to the [real] version of it? But Mexicans across the country, and in the U.S., and wherever they are, can watch it on TV, and that’s what’s celebrated.”

Despite the uncertainty around Hidalgo’s exact words, the speech today celebrates his passion for Mexico and its people—and honors the moment when he pushed the country toward its eventual independence.

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Mexico's Independence Day: September 16

  • Mexican History
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Prelude to Independence

Conspiracies, el grito de dolores, march to mexico city, fall of hidalgo, independence is won, independence celebrations.

  • Ph.D., Spanish, Ohio State University
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Mexico celebrates its independence every September 16 with parades, festivals, feasts, parties and more. Mexican flags are everywhere and the main plaza in Mexico City is packed. But what’s the history behind the date of September 16?

Long before 1810, Mexicans had begun to chafe under Spanish rule. Spain kept a stranglehold on her colonies, only permitting them limited trade opportunities and generally appointing Spaniards (as opposed to native-born Creoles) to important colonial posts. To the north, the United States had won its independence decades before, and many Mexicans felt they could, too. In 1808, Creole patriots saw their chance when Napoleon invaded Spain and imprisoned Ferdinand VII. This allowed Mexican and South American rebels to set up their own governments and yet claim loyalty to the imprisoned Spanish King.

In Mexico, the creoles decided the time had come for independence. It was a dangerous business, however. There might have been chaos in Spain, but the mother country still controlled the colonies. In 1809-1810 there were several conspiracies, most of which were found out and the conspirators harshly punished. In Querétaro, an organized conspiracy including several prominent citizens was preparing to make its move at the end of 1810. The leaders included parish priest Father Miguel Hidalgo , Royal army officer Ignacio Allende , government official Miguel Dominguez, cavalry captain Juan Aldama and others. The date of October 2 was selected for the insurrection against Spain to begin.

In early September, however, the conspiracy began to unravel. The plot had been found out and one by one the conspirators were being rounded up by colonial officials. On September 15, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo heard the bad news: the jig was up and the Spanish were coming for him. On the morning of the 16th, Hidalgo took to the pulpit in the town of Dolores and made a shocking announcement: he was taking up arms against the tyrannies of the Spanish government and his parishioners were all invited to join him. This famous speech became known as El Grito de Dolores   or the "Cry of Dolores." Within hours Hidalgo had an army: a large, unruly, poorly armed but resolute mob.

Hidalgo, assisted by military man Ignacio Allende, led his army towards Mexico City. Along the way, they laid siege to the town of Guanajuato and fought off the Spanish defense at the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. By November he was at the gates of the city itself, with an angry army large enough to take it. Yet Hidalgo inexplicably retreated, perhaps turned aside by fears of a large Spanish army coming to reinforce the city.

In January 1811, Hidalgo and Allende were routed at the Battle of Calderon Bridge by a much smaller but better-trained Spanish army. Forced to flee, the rebel leaders, along with some others, were soon captured. Allende and Hidalgo were both put to death in June and July of 1811. The peasant army had disbanded and it looked as if Spain had reasserted control over its unruly colony.

One of Hidalgo’s captains, José María Morelos , took up the banner of independence and fought until his own capture and execution in 1815. He was in turn succeeded by his lieutenant, Vicente Guerrero, and rebel leader Guadalupe Victoria, who fought for six more years. Finally, in 1821, they reached an agreement with turncoat royal officer Agustín de Iturbide which allowed for Mexico’s definitive liberation in September of that year.

September 16 is one of Mexico's most important holidays. Every year, local mayors and politicians re-enact the famous Grito de Dolores. In Mexico City, thousands congregate in the Zócalo , or main square, on the night of the 15th to hear the President ring the same bell that Hidalgo did and recite the Grito de Dolores. The crowd roars, cheers and chants, and fireworks light up the sky. On the 16th, every city and town all over Mexico celebrates with parades, dances, and other civic festivals.

Most Mexicans celebrate by hanging flags all over their home and spending time with family. A feast is usually involved. If the food can be made red, white and green (like the Mexican Flag) all the better!

Mexicans that live abroad bring their celebrations with them. In US cities with large Mexican populations, such as Houston or Los Angeles, there are parties and celebrations—you'll probably need a reservation to eat at any popular Mexican restaurant that day!

Some people mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo, or May Fifth, is Mexico's independence day. That's not correct.  Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates the unlikely Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Harvey, Robert. "Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for Independence." 1st Edition, Harry N. Abrams, September 1, 2000.

Lynch, John. "The Spanish American revolutions, 1808-1826." Revolutions in the modern world, Hardcover, Norton, 1973.

  • The "Cry of Dolores" and Mexican Independence
  • Biography of Ignacio Allende, Champion of Mexican Independence
  • The Facts and History of Cinco de Mayo
  • Important Dates in Mexican History
  • Biography of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Mexico's Founder
  • Cinco de Mayo for Kids
  • Biography of Jose Maria Morelos, Mexican Revolutionary
  • How Latin America Gained Independence from Spain
  • The Wars of Mexico
  • Chile's Independence Day: September 18, 1810
  • Miguel Hidalgo and the Mexican War of Independence
  • 7 Famous People in Mexican History
  • Independence Days in Latin America
  • Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla
  • ¿Por qué celebran el Cinco de Mayo?: Cinco de Mayo in Spanish and English
  • Major Battles of Mexico's Independence From Spain

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Mexican Independence

Anonymous, Allegory of Independence (detail), 1834 (Museo Histórico Curato de Dolores, Guanajato, INAH)

Detail showing the allegorical figure representing Independence (center) flanked by Miguel Hidalgo (left) and general Agustín Iturbide (right). Anonymous, Allegory of Independence , 1834 (Museo Histórico Curato de Dolores, Guanajato, INAH)

The first two, and most notable, countries in the Americas to gain independence were the United States (1776), led by General George Washington, and Haiti (1804), led by Toussaint L’Ouverture . Other Latin American countries soon followed, with exceptions such as Cuba and Puerto Rico, embarking on their struggles for independence in the early nineteenth century. However, since territories were freed in sections with the ultimate goal of liberating an entire viceroyalty, the fight for independence came slowly and in stages.

Mexican independence

The Mexican struggle for independence began with the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores). 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. A highly educated creole , Hidalgo had read the works of Enlightenment writers and had been an important community organizer in Dolores. While Hidalgo’s efforts led to both the stripping of his priestly title and his gruesome execution, his cry set in motion the Mexican fight for independence.

Antonio Serrano, Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo, 1831, 207 x 138.5 cm (Museo Nacional de Historia, Mexico City)

Antonio Serrano, Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo , 1831, 207 x 138.5 cm ( Museo Nacional de Historia, Mexico City )

Statue of Virgin de los Remedios, thought to have been brought to Mexico in the 16th century (Basilica de Santa Maria de los Remedios, Cholula, Mexico)

Statue of Virgin de los Remedios, thought to have been brought to Mexico in the 16th century (Basilica de Santa Maria de los Remedios, Cholula, Mexico)

Hidalgo’s visual trademarks were his baldness and religious dress—both shown in Antonio Serrano’s Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo . He is depicted inside his study, minimally decorated with books, a desk, and a small reproduction of the Virgin of Guadalupe . While the library reflects Hidalgo’s erudition, the depiction of the iconic Virgin of Guadalupe alludes to both his faith and the image’s historical significance in the struggle for independence: Hidalgo marched with a banner decorated with the Virgin of Guadalupe, a foil to the Virgin of los Remedios, which was used by the Spanish loyalists. In this way, the Virgin of Guadalupe became a symbol of Mexican resistance and independence, and was featured on the earliest Mexican flag.

Miguel Cabrera, Altarpiece of the Virgin of Guadalupe with Saint John the Baptist, Fray Juan de Zumárraga and Juan Diego, oil on copper, 44 x 56 cm (Museo Nacional de Arte, INBA)

Miguel Cabrera, Altarpiece of the Virgin of Guadalupe with Saint John the Baptist, Fray Juan de Zumárraga and Juan Diego , oil on copper, 44 x 56 cm ( Museo Nacional de Arte, INBA )

After Hidalgo’s failed attempts at instigating a revolution, José María Morelos, another revolutionary priest, and the army general Agustín Iturbide continued the struggle (Iturbide had originally fought for the Spanish royalists, but he switched sides following his dismissal from the armed forces due to accusations of unwarranted violence and misuse of funds). The Plan of Iguala, a proclamation which Iturbide authored together with the rebel leader Vicente Guerrero in 1821, proclaimed Mexico’s independence from Spain while reaffirming the country’s alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and establishing equal rights for both criollos and peninsulares . On August 24, 1821, with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, Spain finally recognized the independence of the First Mexican Empire, led by none other than Iturbide himself.

Anonymous, Allegory of Independence, 1834 (Museo Histórico Curato de Dolores, Guanajato, INAH)

Anonymous, Allegory of Independence , 1834 (Museo Histórico Curato de Dolores, Guanajato, INAH)

An allegorical history painting

In Mexico, historical narratives were often symbolically depicted, as in Allegory of Independence  by an unknown painter. The seated figure, an allegorical (symbolic) representation of Independence, is adorned with Mexican accessories such as an Aztec (Mexica) feathered headdress; however, she also holds a Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom usually associated with the French Revolution. She is flanked by the figures of Hidalgo (on the left) and Iturbide (on the right)—portrayed here as the fathers of Mexican independence. Hidalgo crowns Independence’s head with laurels (a classical sign of victory), while Iturbide breaks the chains of enslavement. In terms of her ethnicity, Independence appears closer to the depiction of Iturbide than to Hidalgo, whose skin tone reflects Amerindian ancestry, even though he was a creole ( criollo ). Hidalgo and Independence step on a figure who represents despotism, and who is being shooed away by the eagle, a symbolic reference to the Aztecs. Together, these symbols of Mexican independence articulate both a sense of pride in Aztec ancestry and an appreciation for European ideas of liberty. With their depictions of potently symbolic figures and themes, such paintings energized the struggles for Latin American independence and aided in the creation of national unity.

Additional resources

Learn more about 19th-century post-independence Latin America in a  Reframing Art History chapter .

Timeline of Mexico and Central America, 1800–1900, on The Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.

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Mexican Independence Day 2022: What is the history of the day and how is it celebrated?

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Parades in celebration of Mexican Independence Day are held across the country and neighbouring United States

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Every year on 16 September, Mexicans at home and across the world gather to celebrate their country’s independence from colonial rule more than two centuries ago.

The date marks the beginning of the country’s emergence from Spanish rule in the early 19th century, when a Catholic priest in the Mexican town of Dolores made a call for Mexico to become free.

While Mexico did not become independent until 11 years later, in 1821, the passionate speech given by a figure known as  Father Hidalgo is widely remembered as the beginning of the end of Spanish rule.

Here’s everything you need to know about Mexican Independence Day and how it is celebrated:

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When did Mexico gain independence?

Mexico became an independent country on 27 September 1821 – 11 years after Father Hidalgo made a rallying cry from the town of Dolores, in what is now the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, north of Mexico City .

The Catholic priest made his pro-independence speech just after midnight on 16 September 1810, when, according to USA Today , he rung the bells of the local church. The moment has since become known as the “Grito de Dolores” (in English, Cry of Dolores), marking the start of the 11-year Mexican War of Independence against Spain.

Father Hidalgo inspired many to follow his campaign by envoking Mexico’s patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, on a banner in the same way she appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican who was later became a Catholic saint, according to National Geographic .

While the priest and another, José María Morelos, were beheaded by Spanish rulers following their calls for independence, Mexico finally achieved independence in 1821 when an army led by soldier Agustín de Iturbide seized control of Mexico City.

16 September was then made Mexico’s day of independence.

How is Independence Day celebrated in Mexico?

The day is marked by a series of large events such as parades, concerts and music events in the capital, Mexico City, and in cities and towns across the country.

A view of Mexico’s national flag during Independence Day celebrations

These festivities begin the day before the holiday, on 15 September, when the president of Mexico stands on the balcony of their official residence, the National Palace, and rings the same bell used by Father Hidalgo in 1810.

According to the  British Mexican Society , the president then recites a speech based on “Grito de Dolores” and shouts three times:  ¡Viva México! The names of  heroes of the Mexican War of Independence are also mentioned in the speech.

A military parade is also held in Mexico City.

Is it the same as Cinco de Mayo?

No, it is not the same. Mexico’s Independence Day is not the same as Cinco de Mayo, although the two spectacles are widely confused for one another, especially by Americans and those outside Mexico, National Geographic says.

Cinco de Mayo, in comparison, celebrates the country’s victory in May 1862 over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, which occurred as a result of Mexico defaulting on debt payments to European countries after becoming independent from Spain, according to History.com .

What other countries gained independence at the same time?

Mexico is among a number of Central and South American countries marking independence days in September, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on 15 September, and Mexico on 16 September.

A replica of the ‘independence bell’ at Casa Mariano Abasolo in the city of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato

Two days later, Chile celebrates its independence on 18 September and a few weeks later in October, the day Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas is also marked across the continent.

The four-week period between 15 September and 15 October is known and celebrated as Hispanic Heritage Month .

How is Mexican Independence Day celebrated across the world?

Mexicans can be found living around the world, and none more so than in the United States, where an estimated 10.9m Mexicans call the country home, according to Statistics . That is out of 11.2m Mexicans living abroad overall.

Large events and parades are held in major US cities such as Chicago, which welcomes almost 500,000 people to its annual parade – the 26th edition of which was held on 11 September 2022.

California, a neighbouring state to Mexico, also holds dozens of festivals and events.

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  • 7 September, 2022

A short walk through Mexico’s Independence

Mexico's Independence History and National heroes

  • 1.1 Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
  • 1.2 José María Morelos y Pavón
  • 1.3 Ignacio Allende
  • 1.4 Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez
  • 1.5 Juan Aldama 
  • 1.6 Agustín de Iturbide
  • 1.7 Vicente Guerrero
  • 1.8 Guadalupe Victoria
  • 2.1 Related posts:

Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16th each year to remember the struggle that thousands of Mexicans started to free themselves from the Spanish government, a time better known as the “Viceroyalty” due to whoever ruling was a representative of the King of Spain who had the title of viceroy. 

The Viceroyalty began in the 16th century when the Spanish troops under the command of Hernán Cortés conquered the old Mexico-Tenochtitlán and named it “La Nueva España” (New Spain).

In the early morning of September 16th, 1810, the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla made a call to the population of Dolores with his famous “Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores), to begin the opposition against the viceregal authority that had already three centuries seizing the country. However, the change did not happen overnight; this rebellion lasted 11 years, consummating until September 27th, 1821.

The faces of Mexican Independence

Throughout history, some people have made a difference thanks to their impetus, courage, and perseverance. These are the beloved characters of the Mexican Independence struggle, who made a real change for this country.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla with Virgin of Guadalupe flag Independence of Mexico

Priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a bishop with great language expertise. He was born in San Diego Corralejo, Guanajuato, in 1753 and died in Chihuahua, in 1811.

He was called “The Father of the Nation” for his imminent participation in the struggle for Independence, which he inaugurated in his parish (located in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato) at the ringing of the bell with the famous “Grito de Dolores” while holding a flag with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe that would soon become the flag of the insurgents.

“Death to the bad government! Viva Mexico! Long live the Independence!” Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

José María Morelos y Pavón

Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon Independence of Mexico

Called “the servant of the nation”, Morelos was a religious, politician, and military man who assumed the leadership of the independence movement after the death of priest Hidalgo, of whom he was a student and faithful disciple. 

Among his multiple achievements was the organization of the Congress of Anáhuac, where he presented the “Sentiments of the Nation”, a document that exhorted the people to create an independent nation.

Ignacio Allende

Ignacio Allende Hero of the Independence of Mexico

At the age of 26, he entered the army willingly, where he obtained his rank of captain in 1797. He devoted himself to militarism and participated in the first phase of the insurrection.

He fought in the battles of Alhóndiga de Granaditas , Monte de las Cruces , The Taking of Valladolid, Guanajuato, and Puente de Calderón until he was captured and shot in 1811.

Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez

Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Independence of Mexico

Better known as “La Corregidora de Querétaro” (The Mayor of Querétaro) because at the age of 23 she married the Mayor of Querétaro, Miguel Domínguez. Ignacio Allende influenced her ideals and from there on she was part of the plan together with her husband.

Both decided to open the doors of their house to organize conspiracy meetings, so they always got to notify Miguel Hidalgo of what was happening until their plans were discovered; even so, Josefa managed to give the notice to prevent the insurgents from being arrested. For this reason, Miguel Hidalgo decided to move forward as fast as possible in September, since the event was originally scheduled for October.

Juan Aldama 

Juan Aldama Hero of the Independence of Mexico

One of the revolutionaries who participated in the first battles until his death in June 1811.

He completed a military career in the Spanish army and became a cavalry captain in the Queen’s Regiment, but the injustices he witnessed within the Spanish system, such as exclusive trade with Spain and the marginalization of the criollos (Creoles), convinced him to rebel. This is how he assumed the military leadership of the rebels, with the rank of lieutenant general.

Agustín de Iturbide

Agustin de Iturbide Independence of Mexico

One of the most controversial characters, since he lacked a firm ideology, the reason that made him “change sides” constantly.

At the beginning of Hidalgo’s struggle, Iturbide joined the royalist army, but in 1821 he changed his mind and supported the insurgents to create the Trigarante Army, whose motto was “Independence, Union and Religion”; and the Iguala Plan, with three inalienable principles: The independence of Mexico, equal rights for Spaniards and Creoles, and the supremacy of the Catholic Church. But why did he suddenly decide to change teams? The reason was Vicente Guerrero, a complicated opponent with whom he best allied when he realized that he could not defeat him.

In 1822, when Iturbide declared the Independence of Mexico as a Mexican Empire based on a monarchy, it unleashed the discontent of many. Antonio López de Santa Anna, then governor of Veracruz, proclaimed the Republic and the pressure was so great that Iturbide had to abdicate his throne.

Although he is one of the figures with an unfavorable reputation, he was a key piece to achieve effective independence.

Vicente Guerrero

Vicente Guerrero Hero of the Independence of Mexico

Mexican military and politician who supported priest Hidalgo since the beginning. He became the leader of the insurgent movement after the execution of José María Morelos y Pavón in 1815 and continued to fight for a cause that was already considered lost.

After seeing that Iturbide declared Mexico as an Empire, he supported the Republic of Santa Anna until the monarchical government ended.

Guadalupe Victoria

Guadalupe Victoria First and Former president of Mexico

A faithful insurgent who was elected as the first president of Mexico from 1824 to 1829.

During his mandate, the relations with other countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Colombia began, and he also created the Mexican Navy. In 1829 he ceded power to Vicente Guerrero. After many years of battling his epilepsy, he passed away in 1843.

8 interesting facts about Mexico’s Independence (that even some Mexicans don’t know)

  • Miguel Hidalgo did not ring the bell for independence as is commonly believed. The person who did it was José Galván, the bell ringer of the parish.
  • Mexico has two Acts of Independence. The first was signed on September 28th, 1821, which establishes the Empire. After the fall of Emperor Iturbide, the act was renewed with the term of “Republic”.
  • The remains of Agustín de Iturbide are the only ones located in the Chapel of San Felipe de Jesús, in the Cathedral of Mexico City, not in the Column of Independence like all the other Independence heroes.
  • It is not known for sure how the priest Hidalgo looked like. The images that exist about him are portraits of a Belgian priest who came during the Iturbide empire, but some historians maintain that they bore a certain resemblance.
  • The full name of the priest Hidalgo was Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla y Gallaga Mondarte Villaseñor. By the way, he liked to drink chocolate and before giving the Cry of Dolores, he had a cup together with Aldama and Allende.
  • The reason why Mexicans begin to celebrate from September 15th is because of Porfirio Díaz, a former president of Mexico whose birthday was on this day. He decided to commemorate this holiday on the same day as his birthday.
  • The nuns of the Santa Mónica Convent in the city of Puebla were the creators of one of the most traditional dishes in Mexico: Chiles en nogada . This happened when they got the news about General Iturbide celebrating his birthday and visiting the city at that time, so they created this dish to delight him, with the colors of the Trigarante Army: green, white, and red.
  • The sculpture of “El Pípila” in the city of Guanajuato represents one of the anonymous heroes sacrificed in the Independence. The Pípila placed a stone on his back to avoid the bullets during the Taking of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas… but it is not known with certainty if this character existed.

Did you know something about Mexico’s Independence history? We invite you today, September 16th —whether you are Mexican or not— to celebrate this rich and diverse country, and shout with us a sincere:

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This Day In History : September 16

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Mexican War of Independence begins

mexican independence day essay

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, launches the Mexican War of Independence with the issuing of his Grito de Dolores, or “Cry of Dolores.” The revolutionary tract, so-named because it was publicly read by Hidalgo in the town of Dolores, called for the end of 300 years of Spanish rule in Mexico , redistribution of land and racial equality. Thousands of Indians and mestizos flocked to Hidalgo’s banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and soon the peasant army was on the march to Mexico City.

In the early 19th century, Napoleon ’s occupation of Spain led to the outbreak of revolts all across Spanish America. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla—“the father of Mexican independence”—launched the Mexican rebellion with his “Cry of Dolores,” and his populist army came close to capturing the Mexican capital. Defeated at Calderón in January 1811, he fled north but was captured and executed. He was followed by other peasant leaders, however, such as José María Morelos y Pavón, Mariano Matamoros, and Vicente Guerrero, who all led armies of native and racially mixed revolutionaries against the Spanish and the Royalists.

Ironically, it was the Royalists—made up of Mexicans of Spanish descent and other conservatives—who ultimately brought about independence. In 1820, liberals took power in Spain, and the new government promised reforms to appease the Mexican revolutionaries. In response, Mexican conservatives called for independence as a means of maintaining their privileged position in Mexican society.

In early 1821, Agustín de Iturbide, the leader of the Royalist forces, negotiated the Plan of Iguala with Vicente Guerrero. Under the plan, Mexico would be established as an independent constitutional monarchy, the privileged position of the Catholic Church would be maintained, and Mexicans of Spanish descent would be regarded as equal to pure Spaniards. Mexicans of mixed or pure Indian blood would have lesser rights.

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, Spanish Viceroy Juan de O’Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, which approves a plan to make Mexico an independent constitutional monarchy. In 1822, as no Bourbon monarch to rule Mexico had been found, Iturbide was proclaimed the emperor of Mexico. However, his empire was short-lived, and in 1823 republican leaders Santa Anna and Guadalupe Victoria deposed Iturbide and set up a republic, with Guadalupe Victoria as its first president.

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Mexican Culture and History through Its National Holidays

Day of the Dead figures in Mexico

Day of the Dead figures in Mexico.

© Tomas Castelazo,  www.tomascastelazo.com  /  Wikimedia Commons  /  CC BY-SA 4.0

Much can be learned about a nation by the events that appear on its calendar. National holidays provide insight into the values of a country while commemorating its history. Mexico today is the product of ancient Indian civilizations, European conquest, Catholic missionary efforts, two long and bloody revolutions, and many other wars. The encounter between European and indigenous, Catholic and pagan, and rich and poor has generated a unique culture in Mexico.

This lesson will focus on holidays that represent and commemorate Mexico's religious traditions, culture, and politics over the past five hundred years. The holidays celebrated by Mexico today exemplify the synthesis of ancient Mexican religion and Catholicism, and commemorate the struggles of Mexico's different social classes and ethnic groups. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe ( Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ) is a Catholic celebration of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an Indian man in the first years of Spanish rule. The Day of the Dead ( El Dia de los Muertos ) is a celebration that has developed out of a combination of indigenous and Catholic rituals for honoring the deceased. Mexico's Independence Day commemorates The Cry of Dolores ( El Grito de Dolores ), when Mexico's rural poor began a fight to overthrow the Spanish in 1810. Finally, Cinco de Mayo , a celebration that continually grows in popularity in the United States, commemorates a Mexican military victory over the French in 1862.

Guiding Questions

What do some of Mexico's major holidays tell us about the country's religious and political history?

Learning Objectives

Identify the ethnic and religious influences on Mexican culture.

Understand the meaning and history of Dia de los Muertos, Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Grito de Dolores, and Cinco de Mayo.

Identify basic practices and traditions of Mexican religious and political holidays.

Lesson Plan Details

After Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521, Catholic missionaries swept into the area to convert the indigenous peoples. European efforts at evangelism were not always effective, especially when missionaries attempted to introduce the Christian faith and religious practices without alteration or adaptation to indigenous customs. However, the Aztecs did find elements of their own religion in some Catholic rituals. For example, the Aztecs were known (and feared by some other Indian communities) for their practice of human sacrifice. This ceremonial ritual of their religion made them receptive to the idea of consuming the flesh of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Furthermore, the Aztec worship of the goddess Tonantzin was transferred to the veneration of the Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith. Thus, a blending of Aztec customs and Catholic beliefs resulted in a distinctive Mexican religious culture. Within the first decade of Spanish rule, hundreds of thousands of native Mexicans converted to Catholicism. To learn more about Cortes' conquest of Mexico see the EDSITEment-reviewed Conquistadors .

El Dia de los Muertos

A common example of the fusion of Aztec and Catholic practices is evident throughout Mexico every autumn during the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos. Observed during the Catholic feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day—November 1 and 2—this traditional Mexican holiday celebrates the two-day return of deceased relatives to their loved ones remaining on Earth. Honoring the dead is a 4,000 year old tradition in Mexico. Since Catholicism has become the dominant religion in Mexico, the festivities surrounding El Dia de los Muertos have absorbed certain Christian practices including the praying of the rosary. However, the observance of this tradition is more celebratory than somber. Death is something to be feared in Mexican culture, but Mexicans receive its threat with humor. Although a typical part of the celebration involves a candlelight vigil and La Llorada ('the weeping"), El Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity to laugh at death. This mockery is evident in the amusing skeletons and specialty foods that adorn the altars to the dead. These altars are erected by family members in cemeteries and can be elaborate or simple.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has its origins in December of 1531. A recently converted Indian, Juan Diego, was traveling over Tepeyac Hill—the former site of an Aztec shrine to the goddess Tonantzin—outside of Mexico City. When Juan Diego reported to the local bishop that he had seen the mother of the Christian God on Tepeyac Hill and she addressed him in his native language and asked that a shrine be built for her at the site, Church officials were skeptical. Bishop Zumarraga asked the elderly Aztec to bring a sign of the apparition. Three days later, Juan Diego returned to the bishop and released a bundle of roses from his cloak, on which a colorful image of the Virgin Mary appeared. Stunned by the image and the abundance of roses in the middle of December, the bishop ordered that a shrine be erected. Subsequent bishops embellished the shrine and in 1904 it was given the status of a basilica. Today, Juan Diego's cloak is displayed above the altar in the Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Although other Marian apparitions have been reported throughout the centuries, the Catholic Church has not recognized the validity of every reported sighting. However, numerous popes have supported the authenticity of the appearance of the Lady of Guadalupe. In 1859 her feast day, December 12, became a Mexican national holiday. For a detailed chronology of Catholicism in Mexico, visit Our Lady of Guadalupe , accessible through the EDSITEment-reviewed Latin American Network Information Center. Almost three centuries after Juan Diego's experience on Tepeyac Hill, a makeshift army of Mexican peasants carried an image of the Lady of Guadalupe as they prepared to fight Spanish authorities for Mexico's independence.

El Grito de Dolores

The celebration of Mexican independence is September 16, the anniversary of El Grito de Dolores . In 1810, two years after Napoleon conquered Spain and placed his brother Joseph on the throne, a Catholic priest in the small central Mexican town of Dolores called together his parishioners and rallied them to overthrow the Spanish. The speech of Father Miguel Hidalgo became known as " El Grito de Dolores " (The Cry of Dolores). The Indian peasants of Father Hidalgo's parish were not the only Mexicans discontent with Spanish rule. The Creoles, Spaniards born in Mexico, were not afforded the same opportunities available to the Peninsulares, Spaniards born in Spain. Thus, Indians were organizing to overthrow oppressive landowners in central Mexico just as the Creoles were planning to overthrow the Peninsulares who were pledging allegiance to the newly imposed French king. The next decade became a bloodbath of class struggle. Father Hidalgo, and subsequently his successor Father Jose Maria Morelos, were captured and executed by loyalist forces. In 1821, however, conservatives aligned with the Indian uprising and Mexico's independence was won. In 1823, Mexico became a republic. Although multiple factions within Mexican society had fought for over ten years, the call for action by Father Hidalgo in 1810 is recognized as Mexico's Independence Day. But Mexico's war for independence would not be the last time the country would battle Europeans on its own soil. For further background on the fight for Mexican independence see the background history on the EDSITEment-reviewed website for the award-winning documentary, U.S.-Mexican War.   

Cinco de Mayo

In 1861 a three year civil war ended with a victory for Mexico's liberals and the election of Benito Juarez as president. Conservatives, resistant to the reforms of Juarez's government, called on Europe for help. While England and Spain saw an opportunity to demand repayment of debts incurred during the Mexican-American War, which had ended in 1848, France planned to use the turmoil in Mexico as a chance to expand their empire. As Napoleon III sent an army to Mexico, England and Spain abandoned their financial demands. In May of 1862, the French invasion force met the Mexican army at the town of Puebla in central Mexico. After four hours of fighting the Mexicans emerged victorious. The Battle of Puebla proved to be more of a morale boost than anything else, as the French went on to seize the entire country and install the Austrian nobleman Maximilian von Hapsburg as emperor. Juarez's forces continued the struggle against French occupation, and in 1867 Napoleon III gave up and called his army home. Juarez had Emperor Maximilian executed. The anniversary of Mexico's defeat of a formidable French force on May 5, 1862 became a yearly commemoration of heroism, celebrated most fervently in the region of Puebla. Information on Mexico's history and the lives of important historical figures can be accessed through the EDSITEment-reviewed site from the National History Museum in Mexico City.  

  • Review the lesson plan and the websites used throughout. Locate and bookmark suggested materials and websites. Download and print out documents you will use and duplicate copies as necessary for student viewing.
  • Students can access the primary source materials and some of the activity materials via the EDSITEment LaunchPad .

Activity 1. Comparing El Grito de Dolores and Cinco de Mayo

This activity introduces two important dates and events in Mexican history. Students will research and discuss the basic elements of El Grito de Dolores , September 16th, and Cinco de Mayo , May 5th. The goal is to help students understand what the holidays are commemorating and which important events took place on each occasion, but also to emphasize the historical differences between the two holidays.

Begin the activity by asking if there are students in the classroom who have celebrated these holidays either in Mexico or in the U.S. Ask them to describe how they celebrated with their friends and family. Ask how their family interprets each holiday, how it has significance in their culture, and what it means to them now.

If students are not familiar with these holidays, ask them to look at the historical background to Mexico's Independence Day celebrations. Students can also find more information on Mexican Independence on the EDSITEment-reviewed U.S.-Mexican War documentary website.

Be sure that students note that when Father Hidalgo led the Indians and the "mestizo" forces against the Spanish, he used an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a revolutionary banner. This helps to demonstrate the link between religion and politics in Mexican history.

Next, ask students to view the following pictures from the EDSITEment-reviewed Getty website of Mexico's Centennial Celebration held in September, 1910. The questions that follow each picture can be used to generate class discussion.

Leading the Independence Day Parade, Mexico City (September, 1910)

  • Why are these men wearing military armor from the 16th century? What do they represent?

Indian Parade, Mexico City (September, 1910)

  • Why is it important for Indians in their traditional dress to be a part of Mexico's Independence Day parade? What part did the Indians play in the struggle for independence from Spain?

Emperor Montezuma, Mexico City (September, 1910)

  • Why do you think the famous Aztec ruler Montezuma is part of the Independence Day celebration? What do you think he represents to Mexicans?

Centenary Celebration, Mexico City (September, 1910)

  • This is the Centenary Celebration of Independence, and it is also the year the Mexican Revolution started. This was the first Modern Revolution of the twentieth century. 
  • In the festive lights on this building, why do you think the word " Libertad " (liberty), placed below the date 1810, has been paired with the word " Progreso " (progress) below 1910, when the picture was taken? What is the significance of the placement of the word " Paz " (peace) in the middle, between the other two?

Finally, conclude this activity by asking the students to consider the following questions:

  • Which of the two holidays, El Grito de Dolores or Cinco de Mayo is similar to the Fourth of July in the United States?
  • Which of the two holidays appears to be more popular in the United States?
  • Do you think Cinco De Mayo has become more popular in the U.S. than it is in Mexico?

Activity 2. Dia de Nuestra Señora De Guadalupe

The story of Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe , celebrated on December 12th, recounts the moment in the history of Mexico and the Roman Catholic Church when the Catholic faith entered into the hearts of the Mexican people. At first the Spanish missionaries encountered difficulties converting the indigenous people. According to tradition, it was not until Juan Diego, an Indian peasant farmer, was blessed with the vision and later the image of the Virgin Mary and brought evidence of his miraculous vision that the Church began to take a firm hold on the Mexican people.

The goal of this activity is to help students understand the significance of this appearance of the Virgin Mary in the form of an Indian maiden, not only in a religious context but also in a historical context. Begin by directing students to explore the Our Lady of Guadalupe: Patroness of the Americas website, accessible from the EDSITEment-reviewed Latin American Network Information Center. They should pay particular attention to the pages devoted to Juan Diego and to the apparitions and the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They should also examine some of the images of the Basilica that was built as a shrine to the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Note that this site also includes some online videos of the image and the Basilica.

When they have explored the historical context for the holiday, ask them to look at some further information on the holiday celebration on the MEXonline website.

After students have become familiar with the story of Juan Diego and the appearance of the Virgin, ask them to consider the following questions about this important Mexican holiday:

  • What sort of man was Juan Diego?
  • Why do you think the Virgin Mary appeared to him?
  • How do you think Juan Diego perceived the image of the Virgin Mary?
  • Why was it important that the Virgin Mary resembled the indigenous people in Diego's vision?
  • How do these images of Our Lady of Guadalupe respond specifically to the Mexican-Catholic faith?
  • Why do you suppose Father Hidalgo used an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a banner during the Mexican revolution of 1810?
  • Do you see a link between the significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Revolution?
  • Can you think of any holidays celebrated in the United States that are similar to the Dia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ?

Activity 3. An altar for Los Muertos

This activity introduces students to the dedicative altars that are made on El Dia De Los Muertos . This holiday, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, can be compared in some of its aspects to the American celebration of Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve. But there are some distinctive differences in the practices and customs of the Mexican holiday that should not be missed when students look more closely at the celebration of the Day of the Dead.

Again, this is an opportunity to ask if any students in the classroom have ever celebrated this holiday. This is an effective way to begin to dispel some of the pre-conceived notions the holiday may give rise to. Mexico's celebration of these special days dedicated to the departed are merry and festive days that allow for visits with deceased relatives and loved ones. On this day, Mexican people believe that the dead walk among them joining them in festival and eating the treats that are left for them.

One of the most distinctive features of the celebration of the Day of the Dead is the altar where family members leave their offerings or ofrendas , the goods set out on the altars, consisting of flowers (both real and paper), pictures, pastries, treats, and possessions of sentimental value. The altars themselves are intended to commemorate the deceased relative and welcome them home again.

The goal of this lesson is to encourage students to enter into the spirit of the celebration and to understand the significance of the altars and the offerings to departed loved ones and relatives. The MexicoConnect website, accessible from the EDSITEment-reviewed Latin American Network Information Center, has a page of links dedicated to the Day of the Dead which students can explore to learn more about the celebrations and traditions of the holiday. Among the best resources are the following:

  • The Day of the Dead
  • Los Dias de los Muertos (The Days of the Dead)
  • Dia de Muertos:The Dead Come to Life in Mexican Folk Art
  • A Journey With  La Calaca A Día de los Muertos Experience

Additional images of Day of the Dead celebrations are also available:

  • Photo Essay 147 - Day of the Dead, A Mexican Tradition
  • Photo Strip 84 - Day of the Dead Altars, Chiapas, Mexico
  • Photo Strip 86 - Day of the Dead Figurines, Chiapas, Mexico
  • Photo Strip 82 - Altars and Figures, Day of the Dead, Veracruz, Mexico

After reviewing the above sites and others on MexicoConnect, ask the students to design a mock altar of their own using some of the images and ideas they have collected from the MexicoConnect web pages. For this activity you may want to divide the students into groups and have each group design decorations of flowers, skeletons, or skulls; compose a poem; find recipes for candy or pastry treats; or suggest other appropriate activities based on their study of the websites. When students have finished designing their altars and planning their celebrations, ask each group to discuss the significance of their offerings and decorations.

  • What significance do these decorations have for the dead and the living?
  • How is death perceived in this tradition?
  • What is the tradition celebrating?

Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween

Have the students either write a brief essay or make a chart comparing the two holidays. Ask them to begin by brain storming ways in which Halloween is celebrated in the U.S. Is Halloween a holiday connected with honoring the dead? Next compare what they have learned about the traditions associated with El Dia de los Muertos to the traditions associated with Halloween.

El Grito de Dolores vs. the Fourth of July

Do the same assignment for El Grito de Dolores and the Fourth of July: either a brief essay or a chart comparing the two holidays. Ask students to begin by listing all the Fourth of July activities they can think of. Then tell them to compare what they have learned about Mexican celebrations of Independence Day. Ask them to consider both the similarities and the differences they discover between the two holidays.

Exploring language is a valuable way to add to the understanding of cultural traditions. Several of the websites in this lesson introduce some colorful Spanish words and expressions associated with these holidays, especially El Dia de los Muertos . Ask students to make a list of all the Spanish words and their English definitions and equivalents they can find related to these holidays. You can help them get started by showing them the Day of the Dead Glossary on the AZCentral.com website, accessible from the Day of the Dead website on MexicoConnect. This is also an excellent way to engage students who are bilingual or who may be studying Spanish.

Selected EDSITEment Websites

  • Tradiciones mexicanas: las posadas
  • A Chronology of Events
  • Saint Juan Diego
  • Relation of the Apparitions
  • Picture Gallery
  • The Basilica of Guadalupe
  • Online Videos
  • Mexico's Days of the Dead
  • The Days of the Dead
  • Day of the Dead Glossary
  • Mexico: From Independence to Revolution 

Related on EDSITEment

Hispanic and latino heritage and history in the united states, spanish language learning resources, the mexican revolution, the mexican revolution: november 20th, 1910, "sí, se puede": chávez, huerta, and the ufw, esperanza rising : learning not to be afraid to start over, esperanza renace: aprendiendo a no temer el comenzar de nuevo, origins of halloween and the day of the dead.

Independence in the US and Mexico: Comparison

Introduction, similarities, differences.

The desire of each country to be one of its kind usually developed into numerous independence movements which were observable from the end of the eighteenth up to the middle of the nineteenth century. Independence movements in different countries were similar in their participants’ desire to become free. Though all alike at the first sight they differed to some extent depending on the country they took place in. Certain similarities and differences between independence movements in Mexico and the United States can be pointed out.

To begin with, both the movements started because the colonists were not satisfied with their governments and resented the laws they imposed on them. In case with Mexico it was the government of Spain whereas the American colonists were against the government of Britain. American colonists were refusing to pay high taxes the government has set and the participants of the Mexican independence movement followed after the American and French Revolutions and stood up against their Spanish government they disagreed with. The biggest desire of both, Mexican and American colonists was to replace their governors and rule their countries themselves.

Another similarity lied in the fact that the leaders of both the movements compiled a document in order to enumerate their demands. In Mexico this document was “Plan de Iguala” the main provisions of which were to make Mexico independent, to establish Roman Catholicism as the main and single religion and to pronounce Mexican and European people equal. The document also proclaimed Mexico a constitutional monarchy under the governing of Ferdinand VII. For the United States such a document was the “Declaration of Independence” which demanded separation and political independence for thirteen states with their further ability to act as all other independent countries which is to conclude peace, to levy wars and to be engaged in trade. One more important provision of the Declaration was to either change or abolish the current government which according to the facts stated in the declaration did not take proper care about its citizens.

In contrast, the main difference between the United States and Mexico independence movements consisted in the period of time each of them took place in and the readiness of each country to the war. The United States independence movement took place when the economical conditions of the country were more or less favorable whereas Mexico’s fight for independence fell on the period of time between Napoleonic wars in Europe and the conservative movement which impeded the establishment of new countries in the Americas and their proper recognition. This is why the Mexican independence movement can be called more dramatic.

One more difference which is worth mentioning is the demand of the participants of each movement as such. The United States independence movement was aimed at the pure acquisition of independence the country was fighting for over the years whereas the religious aspect in the Mexican independence movement also played an important role. It is only in Mexico that the tension between the church and the government was so evident.

In conclusion, the facts mentioned above prove that similarities and differences existed between the United States and Mexico independence movements. Common dissatisfaction with their rulers and ability to express their demands in specific documents was what made them alike but the readiness of each country to handle the fight and slight differences in their policies, namely the importance of religion for Mexico was what made each of them unique.

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Guest Essay

The Ugly History at the Root of the Border Standoff

Several stacked coils of razor wire.

By Michelle García

Ms. García is a journalist whose work explores the role of the border and its mythologies in the construction of U.S. identity, race relations and violence.

On Thursday, President Biden and Donald Trump separately toured strips of the border, flanked by federal and state agents. For both, there was an eerily similar use of border security backdrop, signaling the decisive role it and immigration will play in the election.

Their visits were but another reminder of how the border is used for political theater. Across South Texas, where I lived in recent years, I have repeatedly witnessed federal and state agents convert tiny slivers of the border into sites of violent spectacle. On a stretch of the Rio Grande where I went bird-watching, congressional delegations cruised the river in gunboats, wearing flak jackets.

To the west, in Eagle Pass, Gov. Greg Abbott authorized the installation of razor wire. He has accused Mr. Biden of attacking Texas and branded asylum seekers as invaders . He prevented federal Border Patrol agents from routine access to the riverbank, even after a Supreme Court ruling in January allowed agents to cut or remove the wire. In short order, Eagle Pass’s Shelby Park, where the drama has been centered, became a destination for militias and religious zealots.

The Wild West-style politics surrounding the standoff between Texas and the federal government over Shelby Park has once again cast the border as a political theater, a place where the nation’s violent frontier history has been enacted time and again. The re-creation of that history has made the routine processing of asylum seekers into a menacing scene.

Pleas for the humanity of immigrants, as are so often made by Democrats who note we are a nation of immigrants, do little to combat today’s border war mentality. Immigration policy appears to be ancillary or even irrelevant to the border warriors’ goals. “The goal should be zero illegal crossings a day,” said the House speaker, Mike Johnson, who criticized the bipartisan border deal that was dead on arrival.

To understand the political and cultural forces that inspire this mentality, we can look to the slogan “Come and take it,” used by Republicans to express the ethos behind Texas’ intransigence. The slogan refers to the 1835 confrontation between white immigrants in the town of Gonzales and Mexico, the governing nation, after Mexican soldiers attempted to reclaim a cannon.

With this war cry, the immigrants launched a rebellion; today, Republicans use it to defend razor wire.

The sentiment echoes through Representative Chip Roy’s characterization of upholding asylum law as an effort to “deluge our society and to undermine our way of life.” In 1836, Stephen F. Austin, one of Texas’ founders and an ideological ancestor of Mr. Roy and those who think like him, said this in his appeal for U.S. aid during the Texas war of independence: “A war of extermination is raging in Texas — a war of barbarism and of despotic principles waged by the mongrel Spanish-Indian and Negro race, against civilization and the Anglo-American race.”

Traces of Mr. Austin’s doctrine are discernible in the photographs publicized last year by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seemingly boasting about the number of asylum seekers arrested in a wildlife refuge in Brownsville.

It was also there in the images of state troopers posed in front of a crowd of Haitian asylum seekers in 2021, who were made to wait for processing for days under a Del Rio bridge — images that positioned the people as trophies, conquered.

These scenes, though not comparable, evoke the postcards created more than a century ago depicting Texas Rangers as warriors mounted on horseback, their ropes tied around the ankles of dead men, above the caption “Dead Mexican bandits.”

So many of these myths stem from distorted facts: The insurrectionists in Gonzales had no real claim to the cannon that inspired their battle cry; it belonged to the Mexican government. The “dead Mexican bandits” were in reality victims of land grabs or resisters against Jim Crow-style governing. And last year’s images of lined-up asylum seekers in the wildlife refuge were taken after they had peacefully turned themselves in.

Mr. Abbott regularly poses in front of cowboy-hat-wearing troopers. He boasts that the state is securing the border by apprehending immigrants under Operation Lone Star, the governor’s border-enforcement program. But much of the state’s immigration reporting is shrouded in secrecy. When I tried to obtain once publicly available records of immigrant apprehensions, I discovered that the state had reclassified them, placing them beyond scrutiny. When law clinics at Southern Methodist University and Cornell University fought for their release, the state refused, citing “homeland security.”

In the meantime, the governor recently announced that the state is building an 80-acre base camp in Eagle Pass for Texas National Guard members who are deployed for Operation Lone Star. The state attorney general, Ken Paxton, has moved to shut down Annunciation House, a 46-year-old Catholic-affiliated humanitarian center in El Paso that welcomes newly arrived migrants, claiming it is a “stash house.”

For their part, Democrats and their strategists are urging candidates to lean into the border issue by accurately pinning the recent failure of the bipartisan border bill on Republicans’ enforcement-first strategy.

The Democratic Party appears to be staking its claim on a vision of the border that ensures the conflict continues unabated. While proposals by immigration experts and activists envision a border where new migrant centers manage the influx of asylum seekers.

Currently, asylum seekers must make an appointment through an app run by Customs and Border Protection to present themselves at the customary ports of entry. The experts and activists argue that increasing the number who use the app will reroute people from the Rio Grande to those ports.

After living within view of the border’s natural beauty and a portion of the border wall built during the Obama administration, I have come to understand when South Texans defend their parks and riverfronts they are resisting a mentality that makes violence seem inevitable and that now threatens to upturn our political landscape. They are reminding Americans that we are not condemned to recreate our past. “The governor is not a dictator. He doesn’t have a right to come to our community and tell us how to behave, to tell us not to go to our parks,” said one Eagle Pass resident, Jessie Fuentes.

If the coming election is about defending the nation’s democracy, as Democrats claim , then the party must decide if the vision it is selling us is built with razor wire.

Michelle García is a journalist and the author of the forthcoming book “Anima Sola.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X and Threads .

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Texas Independence Day: Why and where to celebrate

I t was on March 2, 1836, when historians believe the original and five copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence were written and signed by 59 men at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Texans now know the day as Texas Independence Day!

If you were looking to brush up on your Texas history or celebrate the holiday we've got you covered.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION

For the Texas history buffs, take the Texas Revolution quiz .

In 1821 Mexico owned a large portion of land that no one lived on. So empresarios were tasked with recruiting new people to settle the land.

Stephen F. Austin, an empresario, founded San Felipe de Austin as the central hub of Texas with 300 settlers.

Shortly after this program started, Antonio López de Santa Anna was elected the president of Mexico. The Texans didn't like this new head of government and whispers of independence started.

In 1835, Mexico sent troops to retrieve a cannon it had loaned Texan settlers in Gonzales. When troops arrived the Texans had a flag saying "Come and take it," starting the Texas Revolution.

Texas soldiers pushed back and took the Alamo. Santa Anna took 6,500 to reclaim the mission and fortress compound.

While this was happening, 59 men gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare Texas independent on March 2, 1836.

Four days later Santa Anna and his troops attacked the Alamo at daybreak and took it back in about an hour. Leading to another infamous Texas line, "Remember the Alamo."

The Texans retreated in the Runaway Scrape, where they burned their cities to the ground so the Mexican troops wouldn't find supplies along the route.

After several battles and massacres, Sam Houston was named commander-in-chief of a regular Texas Army.

Houston led his troops to San Jacinto where on April 21 he launched an attack, overwhelming Santa Anna's army.

Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, acknowledging Texas as an independent nation on April 22.

Take a more in-depth look at the Texas Revolution at thealamo.org .

CELEBRATE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

Washington-on-the-Brazos

Celebrate the holiday when Texas became Texas. On Independence Eve visitors can celebrate with a concert from Nashville recording artist Glen Templeton and opening band, Drifters and Grifters. On the day of, the town will honor the 59 signers, have a chili cookoff and The Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic will hold their annual ceremony.

On Saturday, March 2 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. enjoy a concert at Spellman Amphitheater.

Head to Grandscape for the fourth annual Texas Independence Day celebration. From 2 - 8 p.m., there will be Texas-themed activities, Wild West performances, and much more. Don't miss the live armadillo racing.

The Grapevine Historical Society is celebrating Texas Independence Day with Vintage Vehicles, historic exhibits, a chuck wagon chili lunch and a classic film. Join the party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Race and celebrate with the Texas Independence Day 5k on Saturday, March 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wear your favorite Texas gear or red, white and blue and join the fun. Register here .

Texas Independence Day: Why and where to celebrate

I helped raise my nephew, and now I'm pretty sure I don't want to have kids. Parenting requires too much sacrifice.

  • I lived with my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephew, Diego, until he was three. 
  • Helping raise him was a wonderful experience, but it also made me think deeply about parenting.
  • I realized how hard it was and that it wasn't something I wanted for myself. 

Insider Today

Last year, I was visiting Diego, my now eight-year-old nephew , in Florida for his birthday. We snuggled on the couch on a rainy afternoon as he told me jokes. My sister spotted a rainbow from the window and suggested we go outside to count 10 beautiful things. As we counted our ninth thing, we spotted a second rainbow, but Diego and I ditched it to count each other as our tenth beautiful thing. That moment encapsulated our closeness — we've always played a key role in each other's lives.

I helped raise Diego from the moment he was born until my family moved to another state when he was three years old. I was 25 when I moved in and had just migrated from Venezuela. My sister and brother-in-law were starting a family, and I joined the household as sister, aunt, and — once we'd put him to sleep — Bachelor-watching companion.

Living with Diego for that time and sharing in all the joys and hardships of caregiving was a transformative experience for me. It opened the door to a new kind of love, one I could never have imagined before. To this day, Diego and I share a bond like no other, and I still thrive in my role as his auntie. However, the experience also made me think, for the first time, about what parenthood entailed and whether I wanted that life for myself.

I realized I didn't want to be a parent

While Diego is the most important person in the world to me, I also don't feel like I want to be a parent. I made up my mind soon after he was born. Don't get me wrong; he was the most beautiful and joyful baby. But he also didn't get a full night's sleep for months, and we were all sleep-deprived to the core.

The reality of caring for a baby is filled with intense love and emotion, both joyful and stressful. It is the kind of thing that, no matter how much people describe it, you will never truly comprehend until you go through it yourself. Besides my own experience as part of the village that was raising him , I saw how the transition into motherhood affected my sister. She was wild about her baby but also dealing with post-partum anxiety.

Granted, everyone's experience is different. But when I saw how much your life had to change, how much you had to change, I had to ask myself some questions. Do I feel an inherent, burning desire to have a child ? Is this the kind of change I want in my life, the way in which I want to grow? I was surprised to see how quick and painless the answers were — no, no, and no.

I take my hat off to the people who can do it all. I know myself well enough to know that I don't even want to try to do it all. It was a relief to discard the option of parenthood , to solve by elimination. Plus, I already had Diego, which I still think is the best deal I could ever get.

It's been a point of contention with previous partners

My decision to stay child-free has been a challenge in every relationship I've had since making it, with each boyfriend insisting that I "would be such a good mother" — as if the potential of being good at something is reason enough to do it. What if, still, there are so many other things I'd rather do? I'm certain my devotion would come at an expense I don't want.

My last boyfriend wanted to start a family . We'd communicated our respective stances on our second date, but we still moved forward without caution, secretly hoping that the other one would come around. After four years together, neither of us budged, and the issue became a core problem in our relationship. Sometimes, our fights would quickly escalate and end there, on kids. We became two clichés folded in one: "Wanted different things out of life, grew apart."

I'm embracing other kinds of growth and meaning

As a non-parent, I love my independence and freedom, but it's not just about that; it's about what I can do with that and the kinds of contributions I want to make. For instance, I currently work with underresourced youth as a creative writing tutor . I enjoy working with kids, and then coming home to no kids. I'm also able to explore and interact with the world and other people in ways that give me purpose down to my soul. I want to help others find that spark.

I'm sure I will continue to grow and evolve in enriching ways. And while I remain confident in my choice not to have kids, I can acknowledge that a change of heart, however unlikely, is not impossible in the wake of personal evolution. That said, a fear of regret should not inform such a personal and definitive decision. What's important is to make honest choices along the way, own them, and do one's best to live an authentic life.

Once, my ex said he was sorry I had gone through the experience of having a very involved aunthood . But I feel nothing but gratitude for my journey — I cherish that chapter of my life. And because I had that experience, I can now make a more informed decision, which is a benefit most people don't get.

I visit Diego at least three times a year. I've never missed a Christmas with him. I know how much love and meaning can come from having a child in your life; I also know I'm lucky enough to have something rarer than a second rainbow. It's possible that, for me, he may just be enough.

mexican independence day essay

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            For close to two hundred and ninety years Spain ruled Mexico. During this time Spain plundered Mexico.              At the same time a new race of people was developing in Mexico. These.              people, mestizos, are a mixture of Spanish and Indian descent. These mestizos were not considered to be.              any better than an Indian in Spanish society. Mestizos, being neither white nor Indian, greatly resented the.              attitude of superiority that the Spanish had, while not identifying with the Indian population. Because of.              this lack of identity, mestizo violence characterized much of colonial society. Thus, a tradition of violence.              developed early in Mexico's history (Suchlicki, 40). .              While the Indians and mestizos of Mexico struggled to survive, another class of people, Creoles, was.              developing in the New World. The Creoles were Spanish, but born in the New World. Many of the.              Creoles did well and prospered in this new society, yet they were excluded from the colonial.              governments. This practice of excluding Spanish born in the New World from government positions, one.              of many of the Bourbon Reforms, was meant to prevent any rebellions and restore order in the colonies.              Spain feared that these Creoles would become disloyal to the crown because they had no attachment to.              Spain. This policy of exclusion promoted resentment and frustration among the Creoles and would come.              to the forefront in the early part of the nineteenth century. In fact, These changes introduced by Spain set.              off almost everyone in the colony. Many Creoles joined the fight against Spain initiated by the.              Indian-mestizo population, beginning with the Declaration of Mexican Independence by Father Miguel.              Hidalgo in 1810. The ensuing fight resulted in Independence for Mexico, which was recognized by Juan.              O'Donoju, the last Spanish Viceroy, in 1821. Even though the struggle for Independence was successful,.              the seeds of revolution had now been planted in Mexico. This seeds of revolution began to grow during.

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  25. Mexican Independence Day

    Mexico Independence Day Research Paper. Mexico Independence Day is always celebrated on September 16th. Mexico gained their independence on September 16th, 1810. Many mexicans celebrate their independence day with fireworks. Many families also have fiestas on this special day in September.

  26. Mexican independence day essay Free Essays

    Mexican Independence Day Mexico celebrates their freedom as a country on September 16th‚ a day known as Mexican Independence Day.The battle to win independence was a violent and gory one‚ but the festivities on the 16th of September are the complete opposite. From festivals‚ to feasts‚ to parties the day is full of excitement‚ and is overall a joyous occasion.