El Grito de Indepencia (The Cry of Independence)

On this night in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo shouted the cry that started the Mexican Revolution and led to their indepence from Spain. He rang a church bell in Dolores, Guanajuato and shouted "Mexicanos, Viva Mexico!" At the time, Mexico was called "New Spain," so this cry was a declare to take up arms against the Spaniards and reclaim their territory. Every year at 11pm on September 15th, the President of Mexico rings Hidalgo's bell now placed on the Zocalo of Mexico City and shouts the cry of independence. Then fireworks and shouts of "Viva Mexico" fill the air. This is the kick off for the largest holiday in Mexico, Independence Day, celebrated on September 16th. (And all these years I thought that was what Cinco de Mayo was - now you know too!)

Its a fun time to be here in Mexico. The streets are filled with vendors carrying carts filled with red white and green paraphanellia, flags, horns, sombreros and pinwheels.

So I am off to celebrate with friends, food, and fun. My boys got to dress up today for school in traditional Mexican attire, including a mustache. They looked so cute, I wish I had my camera here (its with my husband). So a little history for you. Take a minute to read the whole story at one of these sites.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grito_de_Dolores
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/grito.html