La Independencia de México (english)

by Andrés Neidig

The 15th of September celebrates what is known as “El Grito”, the beginning of the Mexican Independence.  The citizens of Mexico all over the world relive the night of September 15th, 1810 when the parish priest, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called on his townspeople to take arms against the Spaniards who had been ruling Mexico since the days of the Conquest in 1521.  This event has been officially celebrated by the Mexican government since the mid 19th century.  Thus, Mexican embassies and consulates the world over are charged with the responsibility of re-enacting “El Grito”.  

In Mexico City, on that night, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country and the world congregate at the “Zocalo” in front of the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.  The city is filled with green, white and red.  The colors of the flag. Vendors line the square selling flags, insignias, pictures of the fathers of the country
and of course the famous “taquitos and elotes”.  Men and women of all ages and their children and grandchildren wait many hours till the bells at the cathedral start ringing.  It is now 11pm and the President of Mexico appears at the balcony of Palacio Nacional under the bell that hung originally at the small church at Dolores, Hidalgo where the father of the country called on Mexicans to fight the Spanish.

The President holds the Mexican flag with both hands and delivers these words to the cheering crowd:  “¡Viva México!  ¡Viva nuestra Independencia!  ¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron Patria!  ¡Viva México!“  The spectacle is unbelievable!  He then proceeds to ring the original church bells of independence.  The Military bands strike the notes of the Mexican National Anthem and the crowd joins in.  The fireworks explode in the air and Mexicans all over the world follow with similar celebrations.

On September 16th, 1910, during the Centennial celebration of the Independence, the government dedicated one of the most important symbols of freedom in Mexico “The Angel of Independence”.  It is a “Winged, Victory Angel” with a Laurel crown on one hand and a broken chain on the other.  It measures 18 ft. tall with a weight of 17 tons.  It is made of bronze and covered with layers of gold.  It is the work of the Italian artist Enrique Alciati.  Inside the monument the fathers of the country were laid to rest, among them: Miguel Hidalgo, Juan Aldama, Ignacio Allende, Vicente Guerrero, Leona Vicario and José Maria Morelos.  It is located on the avenue Paseo de la Reforma and Río Tíber St.

The sculptures that surround the base of the monument represent: Law, Justice, War and Peace.  Two other figures represent History and Country.  “El Angel” as it is commonly known, has become the starting point of parades and demonstrations.  Usually after a Mexican sports team victory, the fans will congregate at “El Angel”, “The Angel”, to support their winning team.

At the time of the “Conquest” of the Aztecs by the Spanish army, the Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Aztecs, was flourishing in the center of what is now Mexico City. Perhaps that was the reason Don Hernán Cortés wanted a palace built south of the temple which was later covered with dirt and rocks for centuries.  It eventually became the place of government and home for the Spanish rulers.  Following the consummation of the Mexican Independence it became “Palacio Nacional” and home for the Mexican presidents.  In 1896 the church bells from the town of Dolores were installed above the center balcony of the palace.  No longer does the President live there but the offices of the Presidency and other important offices of the government occupy most of the building.  Many walls are adorned by murals done by the great master Diego Rivera.  Visitors can also view the bedrooms of President Benito Juárez.

Mexico is a nation that is proud of its history and its heroes.  A visit during Mexican Independence celebrations will never be forgotten.

¡Viva México!

(writer’s note) special thanks to the Secretaría de Turismo del Gobierno del Distrito Federal and to Mr. Carlos Mackinlay G. ,  Director General of the Institute for Tourism Promotion.
Powered by MosaicGlobe.