On September 15 each year Mexico celebrates its independence from the Spanish rule which had taken over the country at that time. In the year 1810 in the small town of Dolores Hidalgo in the State of Guanajuato in the central part of country, the local priest, Miguel Hidalgo, called all the townspeople together and after ringing the church bells gave the shout of ‘Viva Mexico’ three times to declare independence.

Since that time September 15 has become not only a National Holiday, but also a great celebration by all Mexicans to commemorate the Independence. MIguel Hidalgo declared independence at eleven o’ clock at night and every year the President of Mexico steps out on to the balcony of the National Palace in the beautifully illuminated central square of Mexico City at the same time of eleven o’ clock and rings the bell that Hidalgo rang all those years ago and then gives the ‘grito’ (shout) of ‘Viva Mexico’ three times to which the people thronged together in the central square answer with ‘Viva’. Following this there is a spectacular fireworks display and the next day on September 16 there are big parades through the central square. The ‘Grito de Independencia’ is a time when all Mexicans come together to celebrate and September 15 is truly a significant date in the calendar each year.