The "16th of September of 1810, marks the beginning of
Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. Hence, this day is similar in many ways to the
American "4th of July," which commemorates our American independence from Britain.
"El Grito de Dolores," (The cry in the village named Dolores-Sorrows-.)
"Long live independence! Long live America! Death to bad Government!"
This proclamation for independence was made on this day by
Miguel
Hidalgo, from the Balcony of the Parish of Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores.(Our Lady of Sorrows.)
A heroic Parish Priest, who is widely regarded as the Father of Mexican
independence and a symbol of patriotism, Miguel Hidalgo De Costilla was responsible for leading
the first large revolutionary forces against the Spaniards. Tragic ally, however, shortly
thereafter, he was captured and executed by a firing squad.
Father Hidalgo's martyrdom, however, galvanized the Mexican people to struggle and fight for independance. After Father Hidalgo's demise, Jose Maria Morelos, a small village priest, and a farseeing political and military genius, rallied the revolutionary forces until his capture and execution on December 22, 1815.
Historians sum up his service to the cause of Mexican independence by
stating that "with him ended the heroic days of the Mexican Revolution."
As he read of the guerilla leader's brilliant campaigns, the French Emperor,
Napoleon Bonaparte said, "with three such men as Jose Morelos, I could conquer the world."
Vicente Guerrero, a liberal rebel and the inheritor of the Hidalgo/Morelos tradition, continued the revolutionary struggle against the Spaniards until 1824, when the Spanish were overthrown and Guadalupe Victoria, a liberal became the first elected president of the Republic of Mexico.
At the time, the Mexican Empire encompased all of
Central America and the Southwestern United States including California,
Newi Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and parts of what now
is the State of Kansas.
There is even today great controversy and debate as to
the questionable,
and perhaps unethical political means, the United States used to acquire
this vast territory from Mexico. This issue was best addressed by
Ulysses
S. Grant when he said,
"I do not think there was ever a more wicked
war than that waged by the U.S. on Mexico."
A few Spanish land grants still survive today , and
Hispanic land grant
heirs still argue the United States should be forced to honor land rights
they were promised in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended
the Mexican War. (See a copy of the original Treaty.)
To commemorate these revolutionary heroes, Mexico named three states after
them. Hidalgo, is a state just North of Mexico City, whereas Guerrero and Morelos are two
adjacent states in Mexico's West coast. In addition, many hospitals, s chools and colleges, state
and federal parks, universities and government buildings have been named to honor these three
Mexican Revolutionary Heroes - Hidalgo, Morelos, and Guerrero.