Viva La Fiesta, Viva Mexico!

Mexico Celebrates its Independence

The mariachis strike up and tequila flows freely as Mexico prepares for its most important fiesta. The evening of September 15, Mexicans gather to commemorate the country’s Independence from Spain (1810 – 1821), their most important fiesta with music, song and dance, food, drink and fireworks. They listen to their President strike the liberty bell at the National Palace in Mexico City and give El Grito, the resounding shout: “Viva Mexico” honoring the heroes of Independence. The following day is a national holiday, marked by parades throughout the country.

Mexican Independence Day Fiesta, Mexico City

A Little History
At the dawn of the 19th century, inspired by the breakaway of the American colonies and the French Revolution, Mexican born Spaniards or criollos hungered for equality with the handful of Spanish families (known as peninsulares or gachupines) that ruled the country, and for a greater say in the running of the colony. Discontent grew and political gatherings disguised as literary clubs flourished. Finally, economic mismanagement, high taxes and a period of political instability and confusion in Spain after the 1808 invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte proved the catalyst for open revolt against the Spanish Crown.

A group of criollo liberals, military officers, government clerks and priests in Querétaro had gone beyond mere talk of Independence and were plotting a rebellion. The colonial authorities got wind of their activities and they were forced to act immediately. On September 16, 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla tolled the bell in Dolores, Guanajuato, summoning his parishioners to church where he exhorted them to join the fledgling Independence movement and throw off the shackles of Spanish rule. His exact words are lost but the spirit of the message was, “My children: a new dispensation comes to us this day. Will you receive it? Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen 300 years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once…Will you not defend your religion and rights as true patriots? Long live our Lady of Guadalupe…” El Grito commemorates the rallying cry he gave.

Artistic representation of "El Grito"

Largely Indians and mestizos, they obeyed his call, joining ranks behind a standard bearing the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and marching on the colonial heartland, home of their hated Spanish overlords. City after city fell, Mexico erupted in flames and eleven years of strife ensued.

By 1821, the early leaders of the uprising – Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende and José María Morelos – were all dead, and their army had split into several rebel forces using guerrilla tactics to strike at the battle-weary Spanish army from their mountain strongholds in Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca. Agustín de Iturbide, a Creole soldier in the service of the Spanish crown, had been charged with crushing the remaining freedom fighters. In 1820, He changed sides, allying himself to Vicente Guerrero, the leader of one of the remaining rebel bands. Together they announced the Plan de Iguala, which had three basic guarantees: Roman Catholicism would be the country’s religion, all Mexican citizens were to be equal and there was to be a constitutional monarchy. After months of debate, the Spaniards finally accepted the plan, which was ratified by the Treaty of Córdoba, and Mexico won its Independence. Iturbide subsequently took control of the newly independent country in 1822 as Emperor Agustín.

Why is El Grito given on the evening of September 15 and not on the morning of September 16, Independence Day? Simple, President Porfírio Díaz who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1877-80 and 1884-1911 is credited with changing the date. September 15 just happened to be his birthday and what better than a nationwide celebration led by the President!

Festive Food
Although Mexican Indepedence fiesta menus invariably include tacos, tamales, guacamole and other delicious finger food, one dish is synonymous with Mexican Independence, Chiles en Nogada (Chilies in Walnut Sauce). Poblano chilies are stuffed with a delicious meat filling flavored with garlic, almonds, dried fruit, pine nuts and spices served in a creamy white sauce made with ground walnuts and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and parsley; all the patriotic colors of the nation’s flag, green, white and green! You can read more about this famous dish and get the recipe in our Chilies en Nogada post

Chiles en nogada

Bring on the Mariachis
No September 15 would be complete without a rousing tune from the mariachis. With their sombreros, violins, guitars and trumpets and their songs of love and loss, these elegantly dressed musicians are the symbol of Mexico, the heart and soul of any fiesta.

The small town of Cocula in the state of Jalisco is hailed as the birthplace of the mariachis, from its humble beginnings this musical genre has spread throughout Mexico and captivated the world.

A typical Mexican Mariachi

Some historians claimed in the past that the word “mariachi” comes from the French word mariage as groups of musicians performed at the weddings of wealthy estate owners during the French occupation of Mexico (1861 – 1867. However, this has largely been discounted and it is thought that the word predates the French and is much more likely to have its origin in the Indian language once spoken in the Cocula area. Read more about the Mariachis and see a list of top mariachi tunes in our related post.

A Tequila Toast
Mariachis and tequila, the national drink of Mexico, go hand in hand on festive occasions and especially during September. So raise your glass of tequila on Independence Night and drink to the health of Mexico, saying the words Salud and Viva Mexico.

Also from Jalisco, Tequila is the fermented and distilled juice of the blue agave plant Agave Azul Tequilana Weber, which grows around the town of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

First distilled in the 16th century, tequila has become one of the world’s top three selling liquors with 600 brands and its own club of connoisseurs.

Tequila selection at Hacienda Sisal

Hacienda Sisal
The stage is set at Hacienda Sisal to celebrate Independence Day in true Mexican style. The tequila is flowing and the mariachis are tuning up. Join us for tasty traditional fare, a colorful show featuring music and dances from all over the country and a rousing mariachi serenade. At 11 p.m., you’ll be able to see the live broadcast from the Zocalo (main square) in Mexico City as President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa gives El Grito (the traditional shout “Viva Mexico). Be sure to join in and raise your glass of tequila in a salute to this beautiful country and its people.

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the Royal Resorts News Blog

We regularly publish Royal Resorts, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Yucatán and México news, updates, videos, photos, recipes and much more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to The Royal Resorts News Blog email updates.