Sep 16, 2007

Mexican independence day

fireworks from the roof of the mayor's offices

September 16th is Mexico's independence day. They also have a "revolution day" (November 20th) and celebrate their 1862 victory over Napoleon III's army on Cinco de Mayo. But the night of September 15th is the most important of these remembrances. In small villages and large cities around the country, the mayor stands in front of the gathered masses and reenacts Miguel Hidalgo's 1810 call for independence from Spain. This reenactment is called "El Grito," which is literally translated as "The Yell."

We were part of last night's festivities. Here are some of the sights (and smells and sounds, if you loosen the reins of your imagination.)

covering a mango with chile sauce

cooking on an oil barrel stove

candied apples

selling flags

city officials salute the flag

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What are they putting on the corn? Looks like adobo.

Is this Fiestas Patrias or is that in the spring? Growing up, there was always a big Fiestas Patrias celebration in San Antonio.

Bethany said...

My cousin and her husband lived in Mexico City for their first several years of their marriage and her birthday is Sept. 16th! She said she used to enjoy celebrating it in Mexico for this reason-- everyone is celebrating!! I need to show my kids your blog because we studied all about Miguel Hildago in History last year and the Mexican Independence Day...it's neat to see your photos!

Meg McElwee said...

Tara,

That's a mango, and they're slathering it with chili sauce!

Fiestas Patrias is probably in the spring, when two holidays happen in quick succession in May. However, fiestas patrias simply refers to all Mexican "national holidays." I'm not sure how they celebrated in San Antonio!