Every 15th of September is the Mexican Fiesta par excellence! On this day Mexicans all over the world  celebrate Mexico's independence from Spanish rule.

Influenced by the concepts of liberty, equality and democracy proposed by the French philosophers Rousseau,  Montesquieu, Voltaire, and by the war of Independence of the United States, they  decided to start a revolt against tyrany. It was 1810, and their plan was to  start the uprising on the 2nd of October. Unfortunately, their plans were  discovered in early September. The movement was in trouble. They had two  alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately. Fortunately for our country they decided upon the second alternative.

In the early hours of  September 16th, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several of the insurgents-Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez- rang the bell of  his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty, actually shouting for liberty, therefore the name of "El Grito". The bell is now located at the central balcony of the Presidential Palace in Mexico City.

This was the beginning of  the Independence War, which lasted 10 years, and although "El Grito" happened on  September 16th it is celebrated on the night of September 15th due to the fact  that this same day was the birthday of President Porfirio Diaz, who remained in power for over 30 years, and he wanted to celebrate in grand style on his  birthday.

"El Grito" is re enacted in  every plaza or "zócalo" of Mexico, and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world at precisely 11:00 PM on the night of September 15th. Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes  -shuttlecock, all painted with the colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and  red. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the Zócalo or main plaza, in Mexico City. Flags wave from practically every house and building. People of all ages come to this fiesta, to take part in the collective celebration!

Food is always a very  important part of these festivities. Literarily hundreds of stands are set up  several days before and offer the traditional "antojitos", most aptly described  as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch or "ponche", a drink  made of fruits that are in season: guayabas, sugarcane, raisins and apples, and  such a delicious aroma!

During the evening people  start gathering in the Zócalo. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress: men as "Charros" and women as "China Poblanas", or indigenous dresses. Those who don't own a typical outfit, at least dress find something to  wear in the colors of the flag. Live mariachi music bands play to the delight of all present. There are also photography stands where one can have a picture  taken, attired with a sombrero and atop a wooden horse! The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as  possible with fake trumpets, noisemakers and whistles!

As the evening of September  15th advances, the plaza gradually fills with more and more people; suddenly there is practically no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach their peak  when a government official appears at the central balcony at 11:00 PM to deliver "El Grito" or cry of Independence. It is customary for the President of Mexico  to deliver
"El Grito" in Mexico City, Governors of all states in their  respective capitals, mayors at each city, and Ambassadors and Consuls all over the world.

The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes  of our Independence, to end with a very loud and exciting VIVA MÉXICO!!!

When the ceremony ends, the  sky lights up with multicolored fire works that shower our hearts with the pride  of knowing that we are a free and independent nation that prizes its heritage  above all.