September 16th is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day throughout the country. To better understand the significance of this day, let's step back in time to a time when Cuauhtémoc ruled all of the Aztec Empire.

The year was 1521 and the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés was sent by the Carlos V of the Spanish Crown to capture Cuauhtémoc and claim the Aztec Empire for the Crown. The fall of the Aztec Empire left Cortés in the position of Governor and Captain General of Nueva España or New Spain. In 1522, Cortés founded the Ciudad de Mexico on the ruins of the once-majestic Tenochtitlán, building a European-style colonial capital with the rubble left from razed Aztec pyramids, temples and palaces. One can see examples in modern day Mexico City.

Over the next 25-years Cortés had his hands full trying to appease the Spanish King and keep up with his many rivals in Spain. Eventually, his absolute authority over New Spain was suspended and in 1530 he was given the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, a vast estate covering some 25,000 square miles. His power continued to decline until in 1547 he once again returned to Spain in a final attempt to regain the King's good graces. Unfortunately, this was to be his last trip to Spain as he became ill and succumbed. His remains were returned to Mexico and laid to rest in the Niño Jesus Chapel near the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square.

Following Cortés death, the rule of New Spain went through a succession of individuals who ruled with a hard hand. At the time, New Spain extended south to Honduras and north to what is now Kansas and east to New Orleans.

Spain's territorial expansion led to the exploitation of natural riches, particularly gold, silver and other mineral resources. The yield from Mexico's mines doubled the world supply of silver in less than two centuries. With this new wealth colonial cities sprang up far and wide. Talented Indian stonemasons, who had once crafted temples and pyramids, were put to work building chapels, cathedrals, monasteries and convents, as well as administrative palaces and grand residences, for their new Spanish masters. The skill of those native hands remains visible in the 16th century structures that still grace Mexico today, from the nation's capital to our own Real de Catorce.

By the end of the 1700s, structural changes in society, economy and politics in New Spain, caused some citizens to reflect on their relationship with the Spanish Crown. Not the least of the cause of this questioning was the French occupation of Spain in 1808. That year both kings, Charles IV and Ferdinand VII successively abdicated in favor of Joseph Bonaparte, leaving Spain in somewhat of a French protectorate position. In New Spain, courts were formed to maintain Spanish sovereignty until Ferdinand VII could be returned to the Spanish throne.

Meanwhile, in the town of Delores, Guanajuato a Creole parish priest Father Miguel Hidalgo, was beginning to speak out. Soon after becoming a priest, Hidalgo began to promote the idea of an uprising by the native and mixed-blood peasantry against wealthy Spanish land-owners and aristocrats. He even promoted fornication and other priests considered him a heretic, false priest. He realized the need for diversification of industrial activities in an area that had the mines of Guanajuato as its major business. At the same time, during his seven years at Dolores, Hidalgo promoted discussion groups at his house, where indígenas, mestizos, criollos, and peninsulares were all welcomed. The themes of these discussions were current events, to which Hidalgo added his own input of social and economic concerns. The independence movement was born out of these informal discussions and was directed against Spanish domination of political and economic life in New Spain.

By 1810, the conspiracy of the Spanish sovereignty was discovered and on September 16, 1810, Hidalgo decided to strike out for independence. Early that morning, Father Hidalgo ordered the tolling of the bells with a call to fight. With a small gathering of Indians and peasants, Father Hidalgo gave the cry “Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe, death to the evil government and to the Gachupines (which was a derogatory term for Spaniards at the time).” Thus began the march against the Spanish Crown and the start of the Mexican Independence War.

During the next eleven months, Father Hidalgo was successful in spreading the word and gaining widespread support in his efforts. Hidalgo's ideals aroused the people's passion.

Father Hidalgo created an army and marched on various cities through New Spain in protest. In which the resisting Spaniards were massacred or exiled. On October 30, 1810, Hidalgo's army encountered resistance at Monte de las Cruces, and, despite a rebel victory, lost momentum and failed to take Mexico City.

After a few more victories, the revolutionary forces moved north toward Texas. In March of the following year, the insurgents were ambushed and taken prisoner in Monclova (in the present-day state of Coahuila). Hidalgo was captured in the state of Jalisco in the region known as "Los Altos." He was tried by the Holy Office of the Inquisition and found guilty of treason and condemned to death. On July 30, 1811, Hidalgo was executed by firing squad in Chihuahua. His body was mutilated, and his head was displayed in Guanajuato as a warning to the rebels.

Following Hidalgo's death, the leadership of the insurgency was assumed by José María Morelos. Under his leadership the cities of Oaxaca and Acapulco were taken, in 1813 the Congress of Chilpancingo was convened, and on November 6, the Congress signed the first official document of independence, known as the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America, and a lengthy siege at Cuautla was endured. In 1815 Morelos was captured by the royalists and executed in San Cristóbal Ecatepec on December 22.

By 1820 there were only a few rebel groups left in the Southern Sierra Madre and Veracruz. Agustín de Iturbide signed alliances with most factions for the consummation of the Independence on September 28, 1821.

It was then that this former Spanish Colony became a short-lived constitutional catholic monarchy named Imperio Mexicano. Finally, in 1823, with the separation of Central America, it became a Federal Republic, its first President was Guadalupe Victoria. Spain continued unsuccessfully tried to reclaim Mexico buy never formally recognized it until 1836.

The call to arms of September 16 by Father Hidalgo is called “El Grito de Dolores” (or Cry of Dolores), and it is commemorated each year as a National Holiday enthusiastically celebrated by all Mexicans. The celebration begins on September 15th at 11 pm in every municipality in Mexico. Traditionally, the highest authority or their charge will appear on a balcony overlooking the city to reenact the scene in which Father Hidalgo called out his “Grito de Dolores”, waving the Mexican Flag and calling out, "Mexicanos, Viva Mexico!" and the crowd echos back, “Viva!”, then “Viva Hidalgo!” and again the crowd echoes back, “Viva!” Then the shout continues with “Viva Morelos” to which the townspeople echo back, “Viva!” each time.

The “El Grito de Dolores” 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!"

After the celebration, framed by fireworks and countless miniature Mexican Flags adding color and movement, families usually gather in a popular festival. The towns and cities are filled with decorations weeks prior to this night that fills with decorated food stands and bright green, white and red Papel Picado (cut paper banners) that give it an unmatchable “Fiesta” ambiance. 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 outside of Mexico, with large Mexican communities, the Mexican Consul does the traditional "Grito".