2 16 de Septiembre

16 de Septiembre, Mexican Independence Day, commemorates 16 September 1810, when a parish priest named Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bells in the town of Delores and called his parishioners to fight for independence. Today, the date is marked by parades, fairs, dancing, and fireworks. Similar to the 4th of July celebration in the United States, the Mexican celebration is enjoyed by all members of the nation and is a great display of national pride.

The following pages provide background on the history of this date in Mexico, with suggested classroom activities and recipes for traditional foods.