Grito de Dolores: The battle cry that kickstarted the War of Mexican Independence
If someone asks, what’s that one speech from history that you think was the most inspiring, which would you choose? Well, for an Indian, Swami Vivekananda’s world-famous speech at the World Parliament of Regions in Chicago on 11th September 1893 can be the one!
But, if you were born and raised in Mexico, the most inspiring speech for you would be the one that started the Mexican War of Independence. It was delivered by a Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 at a small Mexican town called Dolores. It’s famously known as ‘Grito de Dolores’ or the ‘cry of Dolores.’ Today, even after two centuries, Grito de Dolores commences the start of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations every year.
Okay, but what led to Grito de Dolores? That’s indeed a story in itself.
Grito de Dolores: A slogan against Spanish rule in Mexico
For those unaware, Mexico’s indigenous population comprises of the Aztecs that have lived there for thousands of years. However, in the 16th century, the Spanish invaded Mexico, leading to frequent frictions between the natives and the colonisers. The Mexicans were displeased with primarily two things: The way the Spanish invaders forced their way of life onto them, and the diseases that they brought with them, killing thousands of Mexicans every year. However, not much was done during the next three centuries that they deemed as the era of New Spain.
But with the turn of the 19th century, something changed. The youth started to become more and more angry and were ready to reclaim back their nation. This is when a young Mexican activist named Jose Bernado Gutierrez de Lara asked for the help of Costilla (deemed as the Father of Mexican Independence) to help initiate an effort to free Mexico from the Spanish rule.
On the night of 15th September 1810, he started ringing the church bells at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in the town of Dolores, until a huge crowd of parishioners gathered past midnight. He summoned them to revolt against the Spanish colonial rule, a speech that overnight became a battle cry that kickstarted the War of Mexican Independence. It was called Grito de Dolores or ‘El Grito de Independencia!’ (The Independence Cry).
Grito de Dolores and the start of Mexican War of Independence
Okay, so here’s what’s interesting. The priest didn’t stop with Grito de Dolores but also ended up forming a large army and led it from the front. However, when his group reached the Mexico Cityin in early 1811, the Spanish army detained them and even arrested Hildalgo. But it was just the beginning of war, and for the first time in history, the Mexicans did not fear enough to take a step back.
To cut a long story short, the war lasted for another decade and finally on 16th September 1821, Mexico became independent after signing the Treaty of Cordoba. Since then, every year on the eve of Mexican Independence Day, the people begin their celebrations by echoing Grito de Dolores. Interestingly, the term ‘Dolores’ not only refers to the Mexican town but also means ‘pains’ in Spanish.
Modern-day Mexican Independence Day Celebration
Every year, at 11pm on 15th September, it’s a tradition for the Mexican President to re-enact Grito de Dolores. The aim is to ring the same bell that Hidalgo had rang from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City. Following this, he or she shouts slogans of patriotism that is loosely based on the Grito de Dolores and comprises of three famous lines: “Viva Mexico! Viva la Independencia! Vivan los heroes!” For those of you who know a bit of Spanish, you would know these stand for “Long live Mexico! Long live Independence! Long live the heroes!” The crowd repeats the slogans of the President, following which the bell is rung one last time. After this, a spectacular array of fireworks and the singing of the national anthem commence the much-anticipated festivities.