Mexican Independence Day
Ah, el Dia de Independencia Mexicana…easily one of the best days of the year to be in Mexico. Mexicans celebrate…hard, and they have lots to celebrate about.
Later edit: this entry is from 2006. Now see what we did for 2007.
From traditional food and drink…
Chiles en Nogada
Costume, song, and dance…
to a celebration of history.
A brief history…
The Mexican Independence Day is a major holiday in Mexico, the celebration begins every September 15th at 11 pm in every single city and town in Mexico. In Mexico City, the President, following the ritual, rings the historic liberty bell that Father Hidalgo rang to call the people. Then gives the “El Grito” (The Cry). He shouts “Mexicanos, Viva Mexico” and the crowd echos back, establishing the tradition which has been solemnly followed every year thereafter. And it is echoed by the governor of each state throughout the country. The Cry may include other acclamations, such as the one included by President Benito Juarez to honor all those who sacrificed to make Mexico free: “Long live the Heroes of our Independence!”. No one really knows what Hidalgo actually told the people. Many respected historians believe he said, “¡Viva the Virgin of Guadalupe!” “Death to bad government.!” “Death to the gachupines!” (Gachupines is a derisive term for Spaniards.) Because the term “Mexico” at the time meant Mexico City, Hidalgo probably did not say “¡Viva Mexico!
After the last “Viva México” is cried, the president waves the flag, rings the bell, and the National Anthem is sung. The next day, there is a civic ceremony, and a military parade. The actual day of September 16 is similar to Fourth of July in the United States. There are rodeos, parades, bullfights and horseback rider performances. The people feast and recall Hidalgo’s speeches. There are statues in memory of Father Hidalgo and people decorate them with flowers. In cities with large Mexican communities outside of Mexico, the Mexican Consul does the traditional “Grito”. The show usually features traditional Mexican dances, singers, a rock group formed by Mexican students and of course, the “mariachis.”
So what’s it sound like?
Lyrics
Mexicans, at the cry of battle lend your swords and bridle; and let the earth tremble at its center upon the roar of the cannon. Your forehead shall be girded, oh fatherland, with olive garlands by the divine archangel of peace, For in heaven your eternal destiny has been written by the hand of God. But should a foreign enemy Profane your land with his sole, Think, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave you a soldier in each son. War, war without truce against who would attempt to blemish the honor of the fatherland! War, war! The patriotic banners saturate in waves of blood. War, war! On the mount, in the vale The terrifying cannon thunder and the echoes nobly resound to the cries of union! liberty! Fatherland, before your children become unarmed Beneath the yoke their necks in sway, May your countryside be watered with blood, On blood their feet trample. And may your temples, palaces and towers crumble in horrid crash, and their ruins exist saying: The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here. Fatherland, fatherland, your children swear to exhale their breath in your cause, If the bugle in its belligerent tone should call upon them to struggle with bravery. For you the olive garlands! For them a memory of glory! For you a laurel of victory! For them a tomb of honor!
And what am I doing for Independence Day? I plan to be on the beach…
Tags: festival, General Mexico Info, Guy's Corner, holiday
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