CHICAGO – While some Americans often celebrate and associate Cinco de Mayo with Mexico’s Independence Day, it isn’t the day Mexicans celebrate it nor the actual day of Mexico’s independence.
Mexican Independence Day is officially September 16th and it is when we celebrate our independence from Spanish conquest.
But neither the 5th of May nor September 16th is the day Mexico officially gained independence.
First of all, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated mainly in the state of Puebla (and in the United States.) It is a commemoration of Mexico’s victory against France at Puebla in 1862, more than 40 years after Mexico officially gained its independence.
And, although September 16 is celebrated in Mexico as the Mexican Independence Day, it isn’t technically the day Mexico gained independence. Rather, it was the day we began the long war towards it.
In a small parish church in the city of Dolores on the morning of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned his congregation – a majority Indian and Mestizo – and urged them to take action and fight for Mexico’s Independence from Spain.
El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, was his call to take up arms and is often seen as the official start to the path of independence. There had been many secret meetings to gain ammunition for arms and more, but it was here where the Indigenous Indian people who were treated as slaves united under a common goal with the Mestizos. The Mestizos – people of Spanish and Indian descent – had more resources than the Indian population.
Many died from all sides, creating a weakened and divided Mexico.
Hidalgo, a symbol of the revolution and recognized as the Father of the nation, was executed in Texas by firing squad just one year after his Cry of Dolores. But, after more than a decade of fighting, Mexico finally signed the Treaty of Córdoba and gained independence on August 24, 1821.
Although Mexico didn’t gain its independence on September 16 and organizations such as the Academia Literaria that sought independence existed before 1810, the Cry of Dolores is considered the spark that started the movement.
Now, more than two centuries later, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated all around Mexico and even in some parts outside it. In Mexico, school, banks, and offices close down on September 16 for celebrations to take place.
The re-enactment of El Grito de Dolores, which commemorates the start of the independence movement, is among the most traditional ways of celebrating this day. Every prominent individual who participated in the movement, such as Hidalgo, is mentioned.
The host lists every figure of the movement by screaming: “Que viva [prominent figure of the movement].” Then those attending the event respond with a unanimous “Que viva!” After mentioning every figure, the re-enactment of El Grito de Dolores is ended by a loud and proud “Que viva México!”
This re-enactment can take place in large parks or plazas for the whole city to attend or in more private events for friends and family to celebrate.
More celebrations to showcase Mexican culture can be added in the form of colorful parades or eating traditional Mexican food such as the Chiles en Nogada – a seasonal dish associated with Mexico’s Independence Day.
Although some Americans might celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day on Cinco de Mayo and Mexicans on September 16th – with neither being the official day Mexico gained independence – the thing that matters is celebrating Mexico’s hard-fought battle for freedom.
Que Viva México!
Samantha Esquivel is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Matamoros, Mexico.
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