On the morning of September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the parish priest of the town of Dolores, declared a revolt against Spanish rule. This marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, an 11 year process that ended with Mexico getting their independence.
So just what is el grito? And what does it have to do with Mexico’s independence?
Every year, millions of Mexicans, Mexican Americans and fellow revelers from around the world gather late the night before Mexican Independence Day (September 16) to join a massive, synchronized call-and-response that dates back to 1910, the one hundredth anniversary of Mexican Independence.
Celebrate with the Top 10 Facts you need to know about Grito de Doles. Who’s ready for a quick history lesson?
1. The people of Mexico wanted freedom from the Spaniards and were willing to fight for it. They had been forced into slavery more than 300 years earlier.
2. On September 15th, Father Hidalgo received news that he had been found out (he was among those involved in conspiracies against Spanish rule).
3. Father Miguel Hidalgo, a Roman Cathlotic Priest rallied the people of Dolores, Guanajuato on September 15th, 1810 to give them the speech known today as El Grito de Dolores.
4. El Grito de Dolores mean The Cry of Dolores.
5. El Grito de Dolores consisted of Father Hidalgo ringing the bell of El Palacio Nacional and shouting important war hero’s names followed by “viva Mexico, viva la independence!”
6. Father Hidalgo had a following of nearly 90,000 poor farmers and Mexican civilians.
7. Father Hidalgo and the other leaders of his group initially set out to rebel on October 2nd, but his plans were changed when he got the news on September 15th that the Spaniards were coming for him.
8. Father Hidalgo was eventually captured and killed in 1811. He was used as an example of what happened to traitors against Spain, and his body was put on display in front of his church.
9. It took 11 years to defeat the Spaniards. Mexico finally gained independence in 1821.
10. It took Mexico two years for their first presidential election, which was held in 1823.
Grito de Dolores Words & Speech Text
[In English]
Mexicans!
Long live the heroes that gave us the Fatherland!
Long live Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!
Long live Allende!
Long live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long live National Independence!
Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico!
[In Spanish]
¡Mexicanos!
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron patria!
¡Viva Hidalgo!
¡Viva Morelos!
¡Viva Josefa Ortíz de Dominguez!
¡Viva Allende!
¡Vivan Aldama y Matamoros!
¡Viva la Independencia Nacional!
¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!
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