What Is the History of Mexican Independence Day?
Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. It commemorates Mexico's freedom from 300 years of Spanish rule. Each year Mexicans reenact the "ringing of the bell" that started the war in 1810.
Other People Are Reading
-
Early Civilizations
-
Prior to European contact many advanced cultures existed in the land that is now Mexico, including the Maya, Olmec and Aztec.
-
Spanish Conquerors
-
In 1521, Hernan Cortes led more than 500 Spanish explorers to conquer the region in pursuit of gold and other riches.
The Aztec Empire
-
The Aztec empire encompassed many different groups and was too vast to maintain tight control over all of the people. The Spanish took advantage of discontent and forged an alliance with several groups to overthrow Aztec rule.
New Spain
-
Mexico became a Spanish colony and was re-named "New Spain." Europeans brought death, disease, oppression and slavery to the region.
Social Structure
-
In the new colonial society native born Spaniards occupied the highest class, followed by people born in Mexico to Spanish parents called Criollos, mixed Spanish and natives, pure natives and African slaves.
Rebellion
-
The Criollos, who were treated as second class citizens by Spain, began plans for a revolt. Rebel leader Father Hidalgo rang the bell of his church on September 16, 1810, signaling the beginning of a war for independence that would last ten years.
-
References
- Photo Credit "Mexicali6" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Omar Omar (Omar Bárcena) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
