Bicentario Del Grito Del Independencia 2010: Mexico Turns 200!

Each year on September 16, Mexicans all over the country don their patriotic colors of white

, green and red, decorate the streets with Mexican flags, stock up on ice-cold cervezas, and prepare for one of the most celebrated days of the year. Grito del Independencia means "cry of independence." It is on this day that the call of revolution against the oppressive Spanish government was officially declared (though murmurings of revolution had been stirring for some time before).

It all started in the year 1810, when a group of Mexicans, led by Miguel Hidalgo and a Roman Catholic priest named Costilla from a small town called Dolores, Guanajuato. According to the legend, Hidalgo was involved in a planned revolt against the Spanish colonial government. The plotters were betrayed and placed in jail in Dolores. On the night of September 15, Hidalgo, his brother Mauricio along with Ignacio Allende and Mariano Abasolo arrived at the jail. They were armed and demanded that the sheriff set their comrades free. The sheriff obliged and 80 of the rebels were set free that night.

Just before the clock struck midnight on September 15, Hidalgo climbed the church steeple and loudly rung the church bells. The citizens gathered to hear what Hidalgo had to say. His impassioned speech was a call to revolution. He is quoted as saying, "My children: a new dispensation comes to us today. Will you receive it? Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen three hundred years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once...Will you defend your religion and your rights as true patriots? Long live our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to the bad government!"

Today Hidalgo is known as the Father of Mexico. Although he never lived to see a free Mexico (he was captured by Spanish forces and executed on July 30, 1811) his passion for a free Mexico lives on in the hearts of Mexican patriots everywhere. The hub of Grita del Independencia celebrations is in what is known as the Zocolo, or main plaza, of Mexico City. Here, the president of Mexico, now Felipe Calderon, will greet the crowd from the balcony of the Palacio Nacional, or the National Palace. Here, he will ring the very bells rung by Hidalgo on that fateful night (they were brought to Mexico City from Hidalgo in 1886) and give an inspired speech, full of lots of "Viva Mexico's!"

However, you don't have to be in Mexico City to enjoy the celebrations. In cities everywhere, parades, rodeos, and gatherings will take place. No matter where in Mexico you find yourself, be ready for an awesome fireworks display, plenty of flag waving, and a general air of festivity. Be forewarned that if you go out to a bar, you may be forced to indulge in more than one shot of tequila or mezcal, all in the name of the Grita of course.

Locations nearby that will be sure to have a good party going on for the Grita include Puerto Penasco, Ensenada and Cabo san Lucas. If you plan on driving, you will probably want to try to reserve a hotel or RV space before heading down as well as getting Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle. Mexican tourists will be descending on beach towns everywhere to celebrate in true Mexican style - with family, adult beverages and lots and lots of food. If you like a good party, then you won't want to miss out on the Grita in Mexico. Since this is the 200th anniversary, it should make for a good time. Viva Mexico!

by: Jim Labelle

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