With parties in many zocalos or main squares around Mexico on the 15th September and then parades on the 16th September, it is truly a large fiesta for the country.

The story of this historial event began in 1521 when 500 Spaniards arrived on the shores of Mexico led by Hernan Cortes. At this time in Mexico, the Aztecs had already built a huge empire that ruled over all of Mesoamérica but its people were subjected to a dictatorship type rule. The indigenous peoples grew tired of their hardships living in this empire and when the Spaniards arrived, they saw this as a way to help their plight and get rid of their ruler. Unfortunately, the indigenous peoples didn’t realise that although they had helped the Spaniards to get rid of their own oppressor, they had unwittingly opened themselves up to living under an even worse one- Spanish rule. The new colony was called Nuevo Espana.

After almost 300 years of oppression, the generations of Mexican peoples decided that it was time to rid their country of Spanish rule. In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte had invaded Spain and imposed his brother, José Bonaparte, as the king. The peoples of Mexico saw this as an opportunity to gain independence from Spain.

On the morning of the 16^th September 1810, Father Hidalgo, gathered quite a few other conspirators, and rang his church bell to call everyone to fight for liberty. This began 10 years of the War of Independence in Mexico.

At 11pm on the evening of the 15^th September each year, thousands of people gather together in the main square (also known as a plaza or zocalo) in their towns and cities for El Grito. El Grito refers to the Cry of Independence. This re-enacts the moment Father Hidalgo gathered all his followers in 1810. The Mexican flag is emblazoned across streets, houses, buildings and even cars. A huge celebration ensues with festivities including dancing, food stalls, drinking, fireworks and music by Mariachi bands.

Last year was a special year for Mexico as it was the bicentenary of Mexico’s independence from Spain.

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The 4th July is an important date in the American calendar as it commemorates the declaration of independence from the United Kingdom.   Legal separation between the American colonies and Great Britain actually happened during the American Revolution, on the 2nd July 1776. After voting for independence, the Second Continental Congress voted for a Declaration of Independence which was debated and revised several times before being approved on the 4th July 1776.

The original 13 states who gained independence from the British in 1776 were a small fraction of what is now the USA. The vast majority of what is currently the United States was ruled by France and Spain (with a small area of unclaimed territory in the northwest) and these regions did not obtain independence with the defeat of the British. July 4th is actually the celebration of the birth of a nation (the coming together of the 13 independent colonies to create one unified central government which would oversee the 13 different states instead of 13 separate governments), in many ways more so than independence from Britain. However, if you asked the average American they would say July 4th is to celebrate our independence from Britain.

Time changes things and today the USA and Britain are tied together politically and economically – the value of trade in 2008 now makes Britain, its adversary in 1776, the USA’s sixth-leading trading partner.

With thanks to our US correspondents Jennifer and Wells Hero, New York, USA.

How are you celebrating The Fourth of July this year?

This year is a very special year for Mexico as it is the bicentenary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. With parties in many zocalos around Mexico on the 15th September and then parades on the 16th September, it was truly a large fiesta for the country.

The story of this historial event began in 1521 when 500 Spaniards arrived on the shores of Mexico led by Hernan Cortes. At this time in Mexico, the Aztecs had already built a huge empire that ruled over all of Mesoamérica but its people were subjected to a dictatorship type rule. The indigenous peoples grew tired of their hardships living in this empire and when the Spaniards arrived, they saw this as a way to help their plight and get rid of their ruler. Unfortunately, the indigenous peoples didn’t realise that although they had helped the Spaniards to get rid of their own oppressor, they had unwittingly opened themselves up to living under an even worse one- Spanish rule. The new colony was called Nuevo Espana.  

After almost 300 years of oppression, the generations of Mexican peoples decided that it was time to rid their country of Spanish rule. In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte had invaded Spain and imposed his brother, José Bonaparte, as the king. The peoples of Mexico saw this as an opportunity to gain independence from Spain.  

On the morning of the 16^th September 1810, Father Hidalgo, gathered quite a few other conspirators, and rang his church bell to call everyone to fight for liberty. This began 10 years of the War of Independence in Mexico.  

At 11pm on the evening of the 15^th September each year, thousands of people gather together in the main square (also known as a plaza or zocalo) in their towns and cities for El Grito. El Grito refers to the Cry of Independence. This re-enacts the moment Father Hidalgo gathered all his followers in 1810. The Mexican flag is emblazoned across streets, houses, buildings and even cars. A huge celebration ensues with festivities including dancing, food stalls, drinking, fireworks and music by Mariachi bands.  

Find out how to learn to speak  Spanish >>

Find out more about the  Mexican culture>>

For images of the fiestas and celebrations around Mexico this September click here

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