September 15-16
The Fiesta Patrias celebrates the anniversary of Mexico's independence.
Although the festival itself goes on for the greater part of a week, it comes to a dramatic
climax at 11 o'clock on the night of September 15 in Mexico City as crowds of merrymakers wait for the president to appear on the balcony of the National Palace and
proclaim the famous Grito de Dolores ("cry of Dolores") - the "call to freedom" that the
priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811) of the town of Dolores used to rouse the
peasant population to fight for their independence in 1810.
The people respond by cheering Viva Mexico! and shooting off pistols and fireworks.
The Festival of Independence is celebrated in smaller communities throughout Mexico in
much the same way, with the local mayor reciting the Grito de Dolores at precisely 11
o'clock.
The following day is Independence Day, which is celebrated with fireworks, the ringing of
cathedral bells, and a huge military parade. One of the big events on Independence Day
is the drawing for the National Lottery. Tickets are inexpensive, and the winner becomes
an instant millionaire. Almost everyone watches the drawing on television or listens to
the radio to see who wins.
Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Mexico+Festival+of+Independence
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