Heritage University To Celebrate Mexican Independence

Despite the popularity of Cinco de Mayo as celebrated in America, the 5th of May is not Mexican independence day. That honor belongs 52 years earlier to September 16, 1810.

According to the website Time & Date, Independence Day celebrates the day Miguel Hidalgo is believed to have made the cry of independence (El Grito de la Independencia) in the town of Dolores, in the north-central part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato. There is no scholarly agreement on what was exactly said by Hidalgo, but his speech, also known as the cry of Dolores (el Grito de Dolores), was made on September 16, 1810 to motivate people to revolt against the Spanish regime. Hidalgo’s army fought against the Spanish soldiers in the fight for independence, but he was captured and executed on July 30, 1811. Mexico's independence was not declared until September 28, 1821.

That sounds like the kind of history lesson you might learn in class at Heritage University. SEGUE Heritage will combine history with cultural celebration this Saturday, September 14th, with the second El Grito de Independencia festival.

The event takes place from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the Great Lawn. The festival will have fun for the entire family, with games and piñatas for kids, food and beverages, traditional dancers, mariachis and live music.

The El Grito call will be reenacted at 7:45 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Categories: Education, History, Yakima News