When Is Mexican Independence Day and Why Is It September 16?
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. It marks the day in 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, called on Mexicans to rebel against Spanish colonial rule. As the Chicago Tribune reports, that speech from the pulpit urged people to remedy social injustices. The uprising he started was defeated, but others carried the fight forward. Mexico’s independence came in 1821 after an 11-year war.
The date marks a beginning, not an ending. That distinction is easy to miss because the colonial government finally fell years later. The holiday sticks with September 16 because that was the day the revolt began.
The Cry That Started It
A central part of the celebration is “El Grito,” the cry of victory that has become a traditional part of Mexican Independence Day. It recalls the moment when Hidalgo’s call sparked the rebellion. The name appears on public events, too. In Chicago, a festival called El Grito took over portions of Grant Park for a full weekend, according to Block Club Chicago.
A Parade With Deep Roots in Little Village
In Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, thousands of people lined 26th Street for the Mexican Independence Day Parade. ABC7 Chicago described the event as an expression of heritage, culture and community. The Chicago Tribune noted that the parade stepped off at the Little Village Arch on Albany Avenue and continued to Kostner Avenue. That parade marked its 55th year.
Why the Date Still Matters
September 16 is not a commemoration of a peaceful handover. It is a reminder that Mexico’s independence came after years of struggle and that the first push began with Hidalgo’s words. El Grito keeps that moment alive. When crowds gather and hear the cry, they are connecting to the exact moment in 1810 when the long fight for independence began.