Dieciséis de Septiembre The History of Mexican Independence

Mexican Independence Day The tradition of the Diez y Seis de Septiembre festival dates back to September 16, 1810, when the very poor peasants of Mexico began to declared their independence from Spain. It took over ten years of rebelion for the country to gain its freedom. In 2010 Mexico will celebrate its 200 years of independence.

For three centuries, Mexico had been under Spanish rule. The territory was called Nueva España, New Spain. These 300 years were very devastating for the Natives of Mexico. During this time the rulers brought many diseases that caused epidemics which greatly reduced the population of the Natives. Merciless workloads were imposed on the poor Natives and people of Non-Spanish decent. There were different levels of society. The Spanish born people were the upper class wealthy people. Those born in Mexico were called Criollos and were considered the lower class. Each socio-ethnic group had different rights and duties. Many were treated very unfairly. Many rigid laws were imposed by the Spaniards and they prevented the natives from doing anything that would benefit themselves economically.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, was a village priest, who is now known as the father of Mexico. In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo rang the bell of his little church. He was calling everyone to fight for liberty and freedom. Hidalgo had many supporters that helped him start the revolution. In the city of Dolores, Hidalgo called the Indians to action, he tapped into powerful forces that had been simmering for over three hundred years. With clubs, slings, axes, knives, machetes and intense hatred, the Indians took on the challenge of the Spanish artillery. There was a mass slaughter at Dolores. Hidalgo lost many of his supporters. Father Hidalgo did not live to see Mexico’s Independence from Spain. Hidalgo was captured and killed within six months. His head was cut off and displayed for ten years in Guanajuato, Mexico. His supporters continued their fight. The war for Independence from Spain lasted over 10 years.

Dieciséis de Septiembre Celebrations