Today: Mexican Independence Day

On a day like today 204 years ago, early in the morning, Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell of his parish in Dolores, Mexico calling the people to Mass. As people gathered, the priest proclaimed Mexican independence in what has come to be known as “El Grito de Dolores” or “The Cry of Dolores.” After three hundred years of colonial rule, Hidalgo began the eleven-year long war of Mexican independence.

Confessional used by Hidalgo in Dolores (Castillo de Chapultepec)

Vestments used by Hidalgo (Castillo de Chapultepec)

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.

Hildago soon adopted the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, queen and patroness of all Mexicans, as the battle standard for the revolutionary army. The “Grito” gathered Mexicans under the protection of the Mother of God, the Brown Virgin as she is affectionately called in Mexico. Our Lady of Guadalupe validated the existence of a new nation that was neither Spanish nor Indian, but mestiza, since she herself was mestiza.

Original battle standard of Hidalgo

Every September 16th the Mexican president appears from a balcony at 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 by a crowd of thousands cheering at the main square of Mexico City.

Mexicans!
Long live the heroes who gave us a nation and freedom!
Long live Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Lond live Allende!
Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!
Long Live Aldama!
Long live Matamoros!
Long live Guerrero!
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. Mexican independence was not achieved until 1821 when the First Mexican Empire was founded and Agustin I was proclaimed emperor.

Balcony at the National Palace. Over the balcony is the original parish bell of Dolores, Guanajuato

Angel of Independence Column which marks the resting place of Hidalgo