Mexico’s Independence Day: the maximum tricolor celebration
September is known as the patriotic month in Mexico because citizens commemorate the beginning of their Independence War in 1810. In these days, you will see Mexican flags and tricolor trimmings all over the buildings and streets as a sign of pride and joy about being part of one of the richest Latin American cultures.
This Mexican public holiday is celebrated all around the country and also beyond borders. On September 15th in Mexico City, thousands of people gather in Zocalo, the main square in Downtown, in order to remember the famous Grito de Dolores given by Miguel Hidalgo to encourage the Novo Hispanic society to fight against Spanish rule on September 16th dawn.
At night, the President of Mexico arrives to Palacio Nacional to give a short speech and ring the same bell Hidalgo rang over 200 years ago. At the unison cry of Viva Mexico!, excited people wave their flags, colorful fireworks light the sky and traditional music sounds aloud. The next morning, a parade takes place in Zocalo with soldiers and battle tanks walking on the streets, and aircrafts performing amazing stunts.
Banks, schools, government offices and many businesses remain closed on September 16th. This does not mean that you will not have anything to do on that day, but if you are considering to use public transport, you should check the scheduled route changes then. Whether this is your first season living abroad in Mexico or not, you should not miss the parties that take place in both days.
Do you want to taste some special dish those days? Try the traditional Chilies in Walnut Sauce, a green poblano chili stuffed with pork picadillo, covered in a walnut cream sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. This classic Mexican dish, a culinary specialty from the city of Puebla, was first made to celebrate Don Agustín de Iturbide´s saint’s day and almost the ending of Mexico’s Independence War on August 28th, 1821. It is simply delicious!
This year, September 15th and 16th is a time not only to be proud of the consolidation of a country, but also to acknowledge Mexico’s recent achievements. Nowadays, the nation appears as the 15th largest economy in the world with a growing automotive industry since the last seven years. Specialists forecast that Mexican economic growth will rebound to 2.9% at the end of 2015.
Moreover, Mexico appear as one of the top 10 destinations worldwide. In 2014, 1,138 foreign travellers visited this Latin American country to explore, mainly, archaeological areas such as Tula, Monte Alban, Palenque, Tulum, Teotihuacan, and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza. This mystic places still keep the ancient testimonies of pre-Hispanic life, that is why they are so popular both inside and outside the nation.
In addition, Mexico has around 450 beaches and diverse marine landscapes which astonish people due to its beauty and majesty. Either you want to lay on the sand under the shade of a palm or practice high-adrenaline watersports, spots such as the Mayan Riviera, Huatulco Bays, Cancún and Los Cabos are the best places to clear your mind and forget your job responsibilities just for a moment.
Apart from its tourist positioning, Mexico appears as one of the most attractive countries worldwide because of its unmatched wealth. There are 10 cities in the country, including Morelia, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende and Tlacotalpan, which have been awarded with the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), due to their historical, architectural and urban value.
In order to meet every single place of this vast country, you would need a lifetime. Mexico has a lot of social issues to solve, but it is going forward to achieve success. Make the most of your travel to this impresionant nation by visiting the top tourist spots and socializing with the kind people that lives here. Take the chance to let Mexico become your second home.
