What Does Deiciseis De Septiembre Represent in Mexico?
Although some people believe that Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is the date that Mexicans celebrate their Independence Day, this date actually signifies when the Mexican army beat the French in the city of Puebla. In Mexico, people celebrate their Independence Day on September 16 every year.
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Significance
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On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, rang church bells in Dolares, Mexico, and made a speech to a group of Native Indians and Mestizos. In the speech, he urged them to fight against Spanish rulers for Mexico's independence, according to Mexonline.com (See Reference 1).
Influences
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Father Hidalgo worked with a group of revolutionaries, including Juan Aldama and Ignacio Allende, to organize a revolt against Spain, according to MexOnline (See Reference 1). They planned to start a revolution in October 1810, but they had to change the date because Spanish forces found out about their strategy, according to an article by Angie Galicia for Inside-mexico.com (See Reference 2).
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Background
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Mexico first came under Spanish rule when Hernan Cortes, a Spanish explorer, conquered the Aztecs and established a Spanish colony in Mexico. Under Spanish rule, Mestizos, or people of mixed ethnicities, and Native Indians were treated as second-class citizens, according to an article by Mary Herz for Inside-mexico.com (See Reference 3).
Fight for Independence
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After issuing a battle cry, where they declared war on Spain, on September 16, the people of Mexico fought 11 years for their independence. On September 21, 1821, Mexico officially gained its independence from Spain, according to Angie Galicia (See Reference 2).
Celebrations
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Every year on September 16, people gather in town squares around Mexico to celebrate their Independence Day. The celebration starts when the president of Mexico rings a liberty bell, according to Presidiolabahia.org (See Resource 1).
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