The Beginning of Mexico’s Independence

Mexico’s movement for independence began on the night of September 15, 1810, when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest in Dolores Hidalgo, rang the church bell and delivered a call to action remembered as El Grito de Dolores (“The Cry of Dolores”).

The Tradition Today

Each year on the night of September 15, Mexico’s president re-enacts El Grito from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, leading the crowd in a powerful cheer of national pride, followed by the ringing of the historic bell, fireworks, and celebration.

A Tradition Shared Worldwide

This tradition is echoed in towns and cities across Mexico and by Mexican communities around the world, including celebrations organized by consulates, cultural groups, and local communities right here in Toronto.

A Special Moment at Mexican Day Toronto 2026

During this edition, and for the first time, the Consul General of Mexico in Toronto, Ambassador Iván Roberto Sierra Medel, will re-enact El Grito.

El Grito (“the cry” or “shout”) is the ceremonial call that marks the start of Mexico’s independence movement. Each year on the night of September 15, communities in Mexico and around the world gather to re-enact this historic moment, ending with a collective cheer of “¡Viva México!” and a celebration of national pride and unity.