Mexico's Independence Day

Summary

Mexico's Independence Day, celebrated on September 16th, honors the moment when Father Miguel Hidalgo's call to arms sparked the nation's revolution in 1810. Despite early defeats and the executions of leaders like Hidalgo and José María Morelos, the struggle for independence continued for over a decade. In 1821, Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero's forces secured independence, symbolized by the formation of the Army of the Three Guarantees and the adoption of Mexico's green, white, and red flag. The day commemorates the start of Mexico’s fight for freedom, with Hidalgo remembered as the father of the nation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th, starting the night before with the reenactment of Miguel Hidalgo’s historic Grito de Dolores.
• 🎉 The president reenacts the moment when Miguel Hidalgo, in 1810, called for revolt, marking the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence.
• 💥 The Grito de Dolores is a call to arms that united people across Mexico against Spanish rule, leading to a decade-long struggle for independence.
• 🕰️ It took over ten years of war for Mexico to gain its independence, and the events were influenced by European and Spanish turmoil.
• 🇲🇽 Miguel Hidalgo’s call for revolt was motivated by dissatisfaction with Spanish-born elites favoring over Mexican-born people.
• 🛑 The early independence efforts were unorganized, and despite Hidalgo’s popularity, his army lacked military strategy, leading to his defeat and execution.
• ⚔️ After Hidalgo’s execution, another revolutionary leader, José María Morelos, continued the fight, winning several military victories.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Morelos was captured and executed in 1815, but the insurgency continued under leaders like Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria.
• 📝 In 1821, Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero created the Plan of Iguala, which laid out terms of independence and racial equality.
• 🇪🇸 The Treaty of Córdoba, signed in 1821, officially recognized Mexican independence, ending the conflict with Spain.
• 🎌 The green, white, and red flag was adopted by Iturbide to symbolize Mexico’s unity, religion, and independence after the successful revolution.

Q & A

What is the significance of September 16th in Mexico?

September 16th is Mexico's Independence Day, marking the start of the country's fight for independence from Spanish rule in 1810.

How does the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day begin?

The celebration begins the night before, on September 15th, with the president reenacting the historic 'Grito de Dolores' from the National Palace in Mexico City.

Who was Miguel Hidalgo, and why is he important to Mexico's Independence Day?

Miguel Hidalgo was a Catholic priest who initiated Mexico’s War of Independence on September 16, 1810, with his famous 'Grito de Dolores' speech, making him a symbol of Mexico’s fight for freedom.

What was the 'Grito de Dolores'?

The 'Grito de Dolores' was a call to arms made by Miguel Hidalgo, urging Mexicans to rise up against Spanish rule. It marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence.

How long did the Mexican War of Independence last?

The Mexican War of Independence lasted for more than a decade, from 1810 to 1821.

What role did the invasion of Spain by Napoleon play in the Mexican War of Independence?

Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808 weakened the Spanish monarchy, which had a direct impact on the unrest in Mexico and contributed to the outbreak of the revolution.

What was the racial and social context behind the Mexican Revolution?

Racial and social divides played a significant role, with American-born Mexicans (criollos) being frustrated by the privileges given to Spanish-born elites (peninsulares), fueling the desire for revolution.

What happened to Miguel Hidalgo after the early stages of the revolution?

Miguel Hidalgo was captured by Spanish forces in 1811, beheaded, and his head was displayed in Guanajuato as a warning for others.

Who were the other significant leaders in the Mexican War of Independence?

José María Morelos and Vicente Guerrero were other key leaders. Morelos continued the revolution after Hidalgo's death, and Guerrero later played a pivotal role in the final stages of the independence struggle.

What was the 'Plan de Iguala', and what did it achieve?

The 'Plan de Iguala' was a proposal created by Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero in 1821 that laid out terms for Mexico's independence, including the abolition of racial distinctions and the establishment of Catholicism as the national religion.

How did Mexico formally gain its independence?

Mexico gained formal independence in 1821 after the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexico's sovereignty and ended Spanish rule.

What is the symbolic meaning of the green, white, and red flag adopted by Iturbide?

The green, white, and red flag adopted by Iturbide symbolizes the three guarantees of the 'Plan de Iguala': unity, religion (Catholicism), and independence.