Hey, Camp Fans!
You know your education doesn’t always have to happen within the walls of a school building, right? In fact, throughout you entire life, you’ll probably do most of your learning outside of school. Just think of how much you learn every year at summer camp!
Today I’m talking about the history of the Mexican Independence Day. Contrary to common belief, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated today and not on the fifth of May as so many people think it to be. Cinco de Mayo is actually Mexico’s regaining of their freedom in 1862 from the short-lived French invasion. Their freedom from Spain is much more important to the people of Mexico.
September 16, 1810 is the day that one Father Miguel Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, literally rounded people up from the markets and streets of Mexico to declare their independence from Spain. Hidalgo’s rallying is known as the Cry of Delores. Hidalgo gathered more than 600 men in a matter of minutes and by the end of his leadership had amassed an army of 80,000.
Spain had ruled Mexico for hundreds of years and, despite the revolt in 1810, the war for freedom lasted 11 years. In those eleven years guerilla warfare ensued in Mexico wherever Father Hidalgo led his growing, angry mob of rebels to take Mexico back from every Spaniard they could find.
Regarded as one of their most important holidays, September 16 is celebrated in Mexico with dances, parades, and festivals. And on the night of the 15th, there’s an annual reenactment put on by mayors and other local politicians of Father Hidalgo’s Cry of Delores speech in which they ring the very bell Father Hidalgo did over 200 years ago and give the same speech that rallied hundreds.
The crowd cheers and fireworks explode in the sky!
So the next time someone tries to tell you that Cinco De Mayo is the Mexican Independence Day, you’ll know better. Till next time, Readers.
- John