Mexican Independence Day: 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Día De La Independecia

September 16, marks Mexico's Independence Day. Commonly mixed up with Cinco de Mayo, Dia de la Independecia celebrates the territory’s freedom from Spain after 300 years of forced slavery. The day

is commemorated with music, games, drinks and food and

is celebrated worldwide. While much may know the story behind Mexico's Independence Day here are 9 things you may not know about Dia de la Independecia:

1. Dia De

   La Independecia or Independence Day is a two-day celebration. Mexicans celebrate Independence Day on the eve of the day on September 15th and continue the celebration into September 16th.

2. The leader of the Mexican war of Independence was also a priest named father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, also known as

   simply, Miguel Hidalgo.

3. Every year

   El Grito is reenacted from the balcony of the National Palace by the current Mexican president. He rings the bell of the National Palace in Mexico

   City then recites a cry of patriotism, ending with ¡Viva Mexico!

4. Testimonies have agreed that the priest Hidalgo pronounced "live" referring to Virgin of Guadalupe and King Fernando VII, and some "die" to " bad government" during the speech with which he harangued the population to take up arms. However, there is no official cry.
5. Miguel Hidalgo didn’t ring the bell of the Dolores chapel, instead

   José Galvánm, the ringer of the parish, did so.

6. According to

   a manuscript from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) some of father Miguel Hidalgo's last words were recorded. Before being shot in Chihuahua by the Royal Army on July 29, 1811 Hidalgo said, "Do not pity me, I know it's my last day, my last meal and so I have to enjoy it. Tomorrow I will not be here; I think that's the

   best, I am old and soon my ailments

   are going to

   begin to manifest, rather die so in a hospital bed."

7. In 2010, the bicentennial of the beginning of the movement took place. The bicentenary of independence

   , as such, could

   be held in 2021, as in that year will mark 200 years from the entrance of

   Trigarante army to the city of Mexico and of the signing of the Declaration of independence.

8. Mexico was recognized by Spain as an independent nation until 1836 through the Treaty Santa Maria-

   calatrava.

9. During the celebration of the Centennial of Mexican Independence, opponents of President Porfirio Diaz put a rag inside Bell of Dolores. After having shouted: "Long live freedom! Long live

   Independence! Long live the heroes of the Fatherland! Long live the Republic! Long live the Mexican people," President Porfirio Díaz tried to ring the bell, but it made ​​no sound.