Independence Day

**Independence Day in Mexico** (Día de la Independencia) is one of the most significant national holidays in the country, celebrated on **September 16**. It commemorates the beginning of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule in 1810. The holiday is marked by vibrant festivities, including parades, fireworks, music, traditional dances, and patriotic displays. The celebration begins on the evening of **September 15**, known as **El Grito de Dolores** (The Cry of Dolores), when the president reenacts the historic call to arms made by **Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla**, a Catholic priest and key figure in the independence movement. From the National Palace in Mexico City, the president rings the same bell Hidalgo used and shouts patriotic phrases, including "¡Viva México!" (Long live Mexico!), followed by the crowd's enthusiastic response. Throughout the country, streets and buildings are adorned with the colors of the Mexican flag—green, white, and red—and people enjoy traditional foods like **pozole**, **tamales**, and **chiles en nogada**. Independence Day is a time for Mexicans to honor their history, culture, and national pride, uniting communities in celebration of their freedom and heritage.