Historical & Current Events dictionary
Mexican Independence Day
[ mek-si-kuhn in-di-pen-duhns dey ]
What is Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day is a Mexican national holiday in celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain.
Mexico achieved independence in 1821, but Mexican Independence Day also commemorates the establishment of the Mexican independence movement in 1810 by the Mexican revolutionary known as Father Hidalgo.
Celebrations of Mexican Independence Day often involve parades, concerts, rodeos, and dancing.
In the US, Mexican Independence Day is sometimes—but should not be—confused with Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday on May 5 that celebrates the victory of Mexican forces over the French during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Find out why National Hispanic Heritage Month also begins in the middle of September.
⚡️When is Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day is observed each year on September 16.
Where does Mexican Independence Day come from?
Mexican Independence Day marks the anniversary of the day in 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest known as Father Hidalgo, made a speech to rally support for independence in the Mexican town of Dolores. The speech is known as El Grito de Dolores (“The Cry of Dolores”), a phrase that became a battle cry among revolutionaries.
Father Hidalgo rallied a modest army but was soon defeated and killed, and another priest who took up the cause, José María Morelos, was also defeated and killed. Later, revolutionary leader Agustín de Itúrbide—who defected from the Spanish side—declared independence from Spain after leading a force that took control of Mexico City. He later declared himself emperor, but was forced to abdicate. A republican constitution was adopted in 1824.
Examples of Mexican Independence Day
More information and context on Mexican Independence Day
Did you know … ?
- It is a tradition for the president of Mexico to recite Father Hidalgo’s speech for independence on Mexican Independence Day.
- Mexico’s first president after the establishment of a democratic republic was Guadalupe Victoria.
What are other words used in discussion of Mexican Independence Day?
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Mexican Independence Day like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Mexican Independence Day that will help our users expand their word mastery.