On 16 September 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla uttered the Grito de Dolores, the Cry of Dolores, which would begin the Mexican War of Independence.

At 6:00 am, Fr. Hidalgo ordered the ringing of church bells to call the Mexican people to revolt against the Spanish authorities. He said, “My children: a new dispensation comes to us today. Will you receive it? Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen by three hundred years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once… Will you defend your religion and your rights as true patriots? Long live our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad government! Death to the gachupines!”

Four days later, the first major battle of the revolution took place but Mexico would not obtain independence until 27 September 1821.

The people of Mexico continue to celebrate the 16th of September as Independence Day. Each year on the night of the 15th, the President of Mexico rings a bell and issues a cry of patriotism based on the Grito de Dolores. On the 16th, a parade in Mexico City passes a monument dedicated to Fr. Hidalgo.