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The Enlightenment spread the ideal of equality, leading to various social upheavals. The United States of America gained its independence from England in 1776; and the French Revolution proclaimed Liberty, Fraternity and Equality for all in 1789. After a series of brilliant military victories, Napoleon I became Emperor of France in 1804, and continued to conquer as much of the world as he could, spreading the principles of liberalism. In 1808, he placed his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Spain and imprisoned King Ferdinand VII.

New Spain, ruled by Spain through a Viceroy, had mixed reactions to his deposition. Most of the Spaniards supported Bonaparte as a way to retain control. But the Creoles and Mestizos wanted change, and saw a continued allegiance to King Ferdinand as a means of establishing an independent nation and driving out the Spaniards.

Groups formed throughout Mexico to discuss the issues of the day. One such group, in the city of Querétaro, went beyond mere talk and began to plan a revolt, which was to take place on December 8th, 1810. This group included Miguel Domínguez, a Magistrate, several distinguished officers, among them Ignacio Allende and Ignacio Aldama, and the parish priest of Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. In September, the conspiracy was discovered and arrest warrants were issued for the members. The Magistrate's wife, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, managed to get word to Allende, who rode all night to warn Hidalgo of their plight.

When he heard the news, the fifty-seven-year-old priest said: "Gentlemen, we are lost. There is nothing for it but to go and seize the Spaniards". Hidalgo and Allende decided to start the uprising immediately. In the early morning hours of September 16th, 1810, Father Hidalgo rang the church bells, assembled the townspeople and called upon them as Mexicans to rise up against the bad government. Prisoners were freed and the Spanish authorities forced to take their place in jail. Thus, the Mexican Revolution of 1810 began.

In the nearby town of Atotonilco, Father Hidalgo took up the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron of Mexico. Most of the rebel forces were not soldiers, but civilian Indians, Mestizos, Creoles and even a few Spaniards seeking a change; they were poorly equipped and untrained. Father Hidalgo, who had great faith in the common man, was completely taken aback by the looting of Guanajuato at the hands of his army.

After several military victories, the differences between Allende and Hidalgo came to a head when Hidalgo decided not to press their advantage and march on Mexico City. Later, in 1811, Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama and Jiménez were executed and their heads publicly displayed as an example.

However, their Revolution was far from over. From 1811 to 1813, José María Morelos, also a priest, but one with a better sense of military strategy, continued the struggle. With a smaller, more disciplined army, Morelos conquered several important cities, including Acapulco. He was so effective that Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have declared, "with three men such as José Morelos, I could conquer the world". In 1813, he set up the first Congress in Chilpancingo; and it was this Congress that first officially declared Mexico Independent. Morelos continued to fight until he was taken prisoner and executed in 1815.

After Morelos' death, it seemed that the Revolution had failed, though Pedro Moreno, Vicente Guerrero and a few others continued to fight. In 1821, Agustín de Iturbide, sent by the Viceroy to quell the rebellious Vicente Guerrero, instead convinced him to join forces under the Iguala Plan. Based on three guarantees or principles: the Catholic religion, the union of the territory and Mexico's independence, this plan had elements attractive to the various factions, not to mention Iturbide's army to enforce it. Viceroy Apodaca resigned and the new Viceroy sent from Spain, Juan O'Donojú, signed a treaty accepting the Iguala Plan. Iturbide and his army made a victorious entry into Mexico City on September 27, 1821, thus consummating the independence. He set up a council of governors until elections could be organized. In 1824, Guadalupe Victoria became the first elected President of the Republic of Mexico.

In 1813, Morelos proposed that the 16th of September be declared a solemn holiday because it was the "anniversary of the day the voice of Independence was raised and our holy liberty began". In 1824, the Constituent Congress ratified September 16th as a National Holiday. Over the years, the holiday has been celebrated in many ways. Benito Juárez was the first President to participate in the ceremony. Porfirio Díaz, who served seven terms as President of Mexico, had the original bell brought from Dolores in 1896, and orchestrated a massive celebration for the Centennial in 1910, including construction of the majestic Column of Independence topped by an angel with wings outstretched. It is said that he was the one who moved the celebration to the night of the September 15th because that was his birthday, his eightieth coinciding with the Centennial. However, serenades on the eve of celebrations are a longstanding Mexican tradition and, as early as 1845, Mexico's Independence was serenaded on the night of the 15th. A very different note was struck when foreign armies were present on Mexican soil; during both the United States invasion and the French occupation, Mexicans attacked the outsiders to commemorate the 16th of September.

Every year on the night of September 15th, the President of the Republic comes out onto the main balcony of the National Palace overlooking the Zócalo or Main Plaza in Mexico City at exactly eleven o'clock and repeats the Cry of Dolores (El Grito de Dolores), which begins: "Mexicans, Long Live Mexico!" (¡Mexicanos, que Viva México!); and the crowd roars "¡Viva!" as he waves the flag from on high.

El Grito is echoed throughout the country as the highest government authorities in each area, Governors, Municipal Presidents, etc., repeat the call to arms, which sparked the Revolution of 1810 and led to the Independence of Mexico. And in foreign lands, Mexicans gather to listen to the local consul or community representative.

After El Grito, there are fireworks, music, food and festivities. On September 16th, there are big parades in the main cities throughout Mexico. We hope you enjoy the celebrations and…

¡Viva México !

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