The exact content of “El Grito” which declared Mexican independence from Spain has been debated, but in general it is believed that Hidalgo cried out: “Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Long live our religion! Long live Ferdinand VII! Death to bad government! Death to the gapuchines!”
Hidalgo was not revolting against the Spanish monarchy directly, but rather was rising up against the corrupt colonial government, that is why he praises King Ferdinand. At the same time he calls for death to the gapuchines who were the Spaniards living in the colonies. Every government official in Spanish viceroyalties (including bishops and archbishops) were born in Spain, causing tension between them and the native-born colonists who were children of Spaniards and were barred from holding key colonial positions.
The battle standard chosen by Hidalgo depicted Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her apparition had provided the foundation to build a unified Mexican identity, so it is no surprise she was chosen to be in the front of Mexican independence.
Every September 16th the Mexican president appears from a balcony in the National Palace to proclaim once again “El Grito” which includes the names of key men and women in Mexican history. El Grito is slightly modified each year at the discretion of the president and greeted of course by a crowd of thousands cheering at the main square of Mexico City.
Mexicans!
Long live the heroes who gave us a nation!
Long live Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!
Long Live Allenda!
Long live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long live our national independence!
Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico! Long live Mexico!
Hidalgo was captured and executed in less than one year after his open rebellion against the government in 1810. Mexican independence was not achieved until 1821 when the First Mexican Empire was founded and Agustin I was proclaimed emperor.
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