"Semana de la Hispanidad"
¡Que Viva Mexico! This year’s “Semana de la Hispanidad” celebration, Sept. 15-19, was a great success. Students’ performances commemorating Mexico’s Independence Day varied from power points, to poems, songs and dances from grades PK3- 12th. Parent participation was a wonderful way to support children’s and teacher’s efforts to celebrate the Oratory’s unique cultural, and dual language education.
Hover over a thumbnail at the right to view photo.
The following information on Mexican history was taken from an internet article titled "16 de Septiembre El Grito de Independencia" by May Herz
Mexican Independence Day- 16 de septiembre
In 1810 on September 16th, Father Miguel Hidalgo, sounded "El Grito," or The Cry of Independence in Dolores, in the State of Guanajuato. "El Grito" called for independence and sovereignty for Mexico from Spanish rule. Father Hidalgo inspired the people of Mexico with a fiery cry: "Long live religion! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Long live the Americas and death to the corrupt government!". At the same time Father Hildalgo gave his call to action, other revolutions broke out in all of Latin America. Cinco de mayo is observed around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception is that it is Mexico’s Independence Day. Sept. 16 is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.
History:
Indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. They created great civilizations such as the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and of course the most powerful of all, the Aztec Empire.
After Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, the Spaniards carried out expeditions to find gold and riches from these faraway lands. In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by an ambitious man: Hernán Cortés. At this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over all Mesoamérica. So the Spaniards decided to direct their attacks towards them.
The indigenous nations that were under the Aztec rule were tired of the hardships imposed upon them by this empire. This circumstance made them think that by helping the Conquerors defeat the Aztecs, they would be better off. So they decided to aid the Spaniards.
This is how the Conquest of what is now Mexico began.
On the 13th of August 1521, Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor was captured. The indigenous allies of the Spaniards raided Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire.
They didn’t know it at the time, but they had been liberated from one oppressor and fallen in the hands of a much more powerful authoritarian.
This was the beginning of three centuries of Spanish rule. The new colony was named Nueva España, New Spain.
The years that followed were devastating. The conquerors brought with them di seases unknown to the natives. The epidemics that broke out as well as the merciless workload imposed upon the natives dramatically diminished the Indian population. There were approximately 20 million Indians inhabiting this territory before the Conquest, and after just one century of Spanish rule there were only 1 million left!
Colonial society was highly stratified. Spaniards born in Spain, occupied the higher echelons, followed by Criollos, those born in Mexico from Spanish parents; Mestizos, the mix- blood offspring of Spaniards and Natives; Indios, Native Indians; Negros, African slaves.
Each socio-ethnic group had different rights and duties. The privileged were the peninsular Spaniards. Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst the Criollos, (those born in Mexico from Spanish parents), who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish Crown. It is no surprise then, that they were the spark that ignited the Independence movement.
In 1808, Napoleon invaded Spain, and decided to impose his brother José Bonaparte, as king of Spain (1808-1810). The Criollos found in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence form Spain.
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. It was 1810, and their plan was to start the war on the 2nd of October. Unfortunately, their plans were discovered in early September. They had two alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately. They decided upon the second alternative.
In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators –Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez- rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.
And this is the moment that every 16th of September is re enacted in every plaza or zócalo of Mexico, and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world.
As the evening of Sept. 15 advances, the plaza gradually fills with more and more people; suddenly there is practically no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach a crescendo at the culminating moment when a government official arrives in the zócalo, at 11:00 P.M. to give the grito or cry of Independence. This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo, gathered his followers in Dolores Guanajuato.
It is customary for the Mexican President to deliver the grito in Mexico City’s zócalo. It is in this plaza, atop Palacio Nacional, the National Palace -a beautiful colonial building where the President’s offices are located-, that the original bell rung by Hidalgo is placed. And this is the bell that is rung every 16th of September.
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 the exciting VIVA MÉXICO!
Mexico is now a free and independent nation.