National Today Saturday September 16 * Mexican Independence Day *

Mexican Independence Day
This fiesta-friendly holiday is filled with national pride, colorful parades, and Sabrosa food








Mexico is the best place to be on September 16, Mexican Independence Day. This fiesta-friendly holiday celebrates Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810, and it’s filled with national pride, colorful parades, mariachi concerts, and food, food, and more Sabrosa food.

People of Mexican heritage all over the world commemorate this important event in their country’s history when a brave priest in the village of Dolores rang his church bell and delivered a powerful speech that set the War of Independence from Spain in motion. Even the President of Mexico participates by ringing that same bell — now over 200 years old — live on TV the night before the big celebration.

When is Mexican Independence Day 2023?

Get festive and celebrate Mexican heritage on Mexican Independence Day on September 16.

History of Mexican Independence Day

Mexico, once known as New Spain, was a colony harshly ruled by the kingdom of Spain for over 300 years. The native population was oppressed, farmland and personal wealth were confiscated and only Spaniards were allowed to hold political posts. The oppression became too much and a Catholic priest in the town of Dolores named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had enough.

On September 16, 1810, he rang his church’s bell and delivered a speech now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), demanding the end of Spanish rule. This started the brutal Mexican War of Independence, which lasted over a decade. On August 24, 1821, Spain withdrew and officially recognized Mexico as an independent country.  Today, Father Hidalgo is known as the Father of Mexican Independence. Mexican Independence Day has been celebrated every year since that momentous day on September 16, 1810. To promote education among Hispanic students many organizations and companies have established scholarships for Hispanic students, as another way of supporting Mexican independence.

Mexican Independence Day has developed into a huge nationwide celebration over the past 200-plus years. The country’s leaders were inspired by our own July 4 Independence Day festivities, so fireworks fill the skies at night and the day is filled with patriotic speeches, flag-waving, parades, live music, and home-cooked feasts. Red, white and green — the colors of the Mexican flag — are seen everywhere across Mexico and even cities in the U.S. with large Mexican populations.

One of the most popular events connected to Mexican Independence Day is when the President of Mexico rings the 200-year-old bell Father Hidalgo used in 1810 and recites the Grito de Dolores speech in front of 500,000 people. This event is broadcast live to millions via Mexican TV and radio on the evening of September 15.

Many people outside of Mexico think that Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo are the same things. Cinco de Mayo celebrates another victory when the outnumbered Mexican army defeated the powerful French militia in 1862 during the Battle of Puebla.


Mexican Independence Day Around the World


Country Holiday Occasion Date


France Bastille Day Occasion: Commemorating the day that the French troops stormed and destroyed the Bastille, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. July 14
Philippines Independence Day Celebrating the Philippine Revolution against Spain. June 12
Peru Fiestas Patrias Commemorating Peru’s independence from Spain. July 28
Israel Yom Ha’atzmaut Commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence and their independence from the British Mandate for Palestine. Differs depending on the day on which the 5th of Iyar falls.

Traditions of the Day

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with festive fireworks, fiestas or parties, and lots of good food and music. The colors for the day are of the Mexican flag — red, white, and green — which are seen everywhere in public areas along with flowers and other decorations. Mexicans jubilantly blow whistles and horns and throw confetti, and crowds chant “Viva la independencia nacional!” and

 “Viva Mexico!” in the streets.




Traditional mariachi music spices up the events with lively dancing. Of course, food is one of the most important aspects of Independence Day celebrations — restaurants and street vendors sell traditional Mexican food. Others prepare feasts at home to serve at parties. This includes fruit punch, candies like marzipan, ‘pozole’ — a soup made from hominy and pork, beef stew known as ‘Menudo,’ roast lamb, ‘Queso Fundido’ — a Mexican cheese fondue, and chips with guacamole and salsa. Popular beverages for parties are Mexican beer, sangria, or tequila.

By The Numbers

127.6 million – the population of Mexico.

$1.269 trillion – the gross domestic product of Mexico.

50 – the number of indigenous languages spoken in Mexico.

13th – the ranking of Mexico as the largest country in terms of land.

52 – the international dialing code for Mexico.


How to Observe Mexican Independence Day


   Grab a table at your local Mexican restaurant

   You don’t have to be Mexican to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy the festivities while you enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal and an ice cold cerveza.

   Fly the Mexican flag

   No matter where you live, celebrate Mexico’s independence by displaying the country’s distinctive green, white, and red flag. The vertical stripes represent — in order — independence, Roman Catholicism, and unity.

   Watch or listen to the live broadcast of El Grito de Dolores reenactment

   Settle down in front of your TV or radio when the President of Mexico delivers El Grito de Dolores, complete with bell ringing, at 11 p.m. on September 15. Then let the party begin!

5 Cool Facts About Mexican Independence Day


   Eat the colors of the Mexican flag

   Chiles En Nogada (poblano chiles stuffed with savory meat) features the three colors of the Mexican flag: green (fresh parsley), white (walnut cream sauce), and red (pomegranate seeds).

   A Mexican household favorite

   Beans are a staple of Mexican cooking, so buy some fresh pinto or black beans and whip up a hearty Mexican meal of Frijoles de la Olla (beans in a pot), which is basically a pot of simmered beans mixed with onion and garlic and topped with fresh sour cream.

   Wash it down

   Skip commonplace beverages like beer and margaritas and offer something different, like a traditional Mexican ponche (fruit punch) made from sugarcane, oranges, pears, guavas, raisins, and apples seasoned with cinnamon and clove.

   Que es Queso?

   Queso is the Spanish word for cheese, and the only thing cheesier than an overdramatic Mexican telenovela is Queso Fundido, a traditional Mexican fondue of melted white cheese simmered with lime juice, hot sauce and garlic.

   Hangover Cure

   Menudo, a rich, hearty stew made from stew beef, hominy (corn kernels), tripe (cow stomach lining) that’s cooked with onion, garlic, lime, and cilantro, is considered to be a traditional hangover cure for those who imbibe a few too many cervezas on September 16.

Why Mexican Independence Day is Important


   It celebrates freedom

   Just like July 4 in America or Bastille Day in France, Mexican Independence Day celebrates freedom. And we think there is nothing sweeter than freedom, unless you count Mazapán, a sweet peanut flavored Mexican candy.

   It's a two day fiesta

   Even though the official day of celebration is September 16, when banks, schools, and businesses are closed, many folks start gearing up on September 15, climaxing with the President’s reading of El Grito de Dolores live on TV at 11p.m.

   It’s a day for Mexican cuisine

   It’s probably one of the best days of the year to sample Mexican food! There will be an excess supply of it so get your taste buds ready for the feast.