Cry of Dolores Grito de Dolores
The Legacy of “El Grito” and Mexico’s Independence Day
On September 16, Mexico celebrates its Independence Day, with millions marking the occasion at 11 PM on the 15th by shouting El Grito: ¡Viva México! This tradition honors Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the priest whose call to arms in 1810 ignited Mexico’s War of Independence, which lasted a decade.
The Night That Changed History
Just before midnight on September 15, 1810, in the town of Dolores, Hidalgo, aware that Spanish authorities had uncovered his conspiracy, faced a choice: flee or fight. He chose action. Ringing the church bells, he summoned the local population, urging them to rise against Spanish rule. His rallying cry—later known as El Grito de Dolores—inspired a nationwide rebellion.
A Revolution Takes Shape
Hidalgo’s call to arms united indigenous and mixed-race Mexicans against centuries of oppression. His speech included powerful declarations:
- “Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!” (A symbol of indigenous faith)
- “Death to bad government!”
- “Death to the gachupines!” (A term for Spanish-born elites)
- “Viva México!”
- “Viva la Independencia!”
Four days later, insurgents clashed with Spanish forces in the Battle of Guanajuato, marking the first major confrontation of the war. Though Hidalgo was later captured and executed in 1811, the revolution continued, culminating in Mexico’s independence in 1821 with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba.
The Tradition Lives On
Each year on the night of September 15, Mexico’s president reenacts El Grito from the National Palace balcony in Mexico City, echoing Hidalgo’s defiant cry. The ceremony, broadcast nationwide, is repeated in towns and villages, reminding Mexicans of their hard-fought freedom.
While the exact words Hidalgo spoke remain unknown, his message endures as a symbol of resistance and national pride.