September 16th, 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain. On that day in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave a fiery speech in front of his church in the town of Dolores. His now legendary “Cry of Independence” (El Grito de la Independencia) urged his countrymen to rebel against the 300-year old colonial government. Though a formal Declaration of Independence wasn’t made until 1821, September 16th is recognized as the seminal event which sparked the beginning of Mexican Independence.
Today, Mexicans celebrate the event with the ringing of bells, parades...