Mexican Bicentennial

Celebrating 200 years of Independence and 100 years of Mexican Revolution

You may have heard something about some bicentennial that will be celebrated in Mexico, just as in other Latin American countries will be held. But, what exactly are those countries celebrating? Well, actually, their Independence.

All this countries were colonized by European in the XVI century, mainly by Spain (but also by Portugal, France and England). More or less 300 hundred years later, the colonized countries started their independence movements. These countries were influenced by the Enlightenment ideas and the Independence of the United States (1776). With Napoleon attacking Spain, they all saw their opportunity to get their freedom, and they fought for it.

The first country to get their freedom was Haiti, in 1809, followed by Mexico one year later. And, although there are still some colonies in America, like Anguila, Bermuda, Caiman Island and French Guyana, most of the countries reached their independence in the period of 1910 and 1929.

Since 1808, the situation in Mexico turned difficult, because the criollos”, who were people born in Mexico from Spanish parents, felt they deserved the government power more than the Spanish people. By that time, Mexicans were very low in the social position, and the Indians” (natives) were considered nothing. The criollos started to join secretly, planning how to reach their independence from the Spanish government, and this way, on September 16, 1810, Mr. Miguel Hidalgo, one of the most important Mexican characters, gathered the people at Dolores town (later named Dolores Hidalgo) by ringing the bell of the church, and inviting everyone to fight for their freedom. This is how the tradition of elgrito” (The shouting) was born, and every year, the Mexican President recreates it, acclaiming the heroes, and ending with a loud: VIVA MEXICO!”

But independence war was only starting, and it lasted 11 years. It was full of important characters, such as Allende, Morelos, Iturbide, Guerrero, Guadalupe Victoria, Rayón, Aldama, and many others, and full of interesting episodes. One of them was the 11 year exhibition of for decapitated heads at the Alhondiga de Granaditas building, including Hidalgo’s head, to scare people. There was also a group of people who later started fighting against Spain, but instead of searching a Democracy, they wanted a Monarchy, but for a while, they fought together.

Although Spain recognized the independence until 1836, the Independence was reached in 1921, when the Vice King accepted the Independence just because he liked the idea, ignoring what the royalty wanted. Finally, the Army entered the Capital finishing the war in September 27.

But this year, Mexico is not only celebrating the bicentenary of their Independence, but also the centenary of the Revolution, that started 100 years after, in 1910.

Picture Source: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descolonizaci%C3%B3n_de_Am%C3%A9rica