History
In the year 1500, Spain conquered Mexico and named it New Spain. Life was hard under Spanish rule and many of the native Mexicans (Mayas and Aztecs) were forced into slavery. More than 300 years later, on September 16, 1810, in the early hours of September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato, started a revolt against the Spanish, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish Crown, thus initiating Mexico's War of Independence. The Spanish were finally defeated in 1821 and now Mexican Independence is celebrated every year in town squares across Mexico to remember the beginning of the struggle for freedom.
How is it celebrated?
Mexican Independence Day is one of the
biggest holidays in Mexico. Much like the Fourth of July in US, people
celebrate with food, songs, fireworks, and of course a day off school.
The largest Independence Day celebration
takes place in Mexico City's Zocalo, which is decorated from the beginning of
September with red, white and green lights and Mexican flags. On the 15th,
at 11 pm the President of the Republic goes out onto the central balcony of
the National Palace (Palacio Nacional), rings the bell (the
same bell Hidalgo rang in 1810, brought to Mexico City in 1886) and cries to
the people gathered in the square below, who enthusiastically respond
"¡Viva!"
This is the version often said by the
President of Mexico in the national commemorative activity in the National
Palace or at the church in Dolores Hidalgo. Local leaders can adapt this to
their respective circumstances from the state to the municipal or city level.
Again, these are the words being said by the President of Mexico in the
national activity on the very evening on eve of Independence Day.
Mexicans!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Josepha Ortiz de
Dominguez!
Long live Allende!
Long live Galena and the
Bravos!
Long live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long live National
Independence!
Long Live Mexico! Long Live
Mexico! Long Live Mexico!
Long live the heroes that
gave us the Fatherland!
At the end of the third - Long Live
Mexico! - the crowd goes wild waving flags, ringing noisemakers and
spraying foam. Then fireworks light up the sky as the crowd cheers. Later
the Mexican national anthem is sung.
Parade
The celebrations continue on the 16th with
civic ceremonies and parades the largest taking place in Mexico City, but
perhaps the most touching festivities are those in small communities in which
school children of all ages participate.
Food
Like most festivities, certain foods are
considered representative of Independence Day. A favorite is pozole, a soup
made of hominy and pork. Other foods have the colors of the Mexican flag - red
white and green, like chiles en nogada. And of course, it just wouldn't be
a party without plenty of mezcal and tequila.
No comments:
Post a Comment