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dumois

Sep 16, 2004, 10:12 AM

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Grito de Dolores

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September, 1810

September 16th, 1810, is a very important date in México, because it marks the initiation of the movement that gave our country independence from Spain.

Third century of Spanish rule in the New Spain was ending, and everything looked quiet, tranquil. But ideas of freedom, equality, independence and justice were in the air.

In Guanajuato, captain Ignacio Allende headed a secret group that promoted the independence of the country. The heart of the conspiration moved to Querétaro, where one event after another lead to open insurrection.

Literary meetings in Querétaro

In the city of Querétaro conspirators met; people like licenciado Altamirano, captains Allende and Aldama, Epigmenio González, and others. These meetings were hidden under the name Literary Academy reunions. Corregidor Don Miguel Domínguez, though not a regular assistant, favored the movement, and he met in his home with Allende to discuss the project.

Conspiration uncovered

The conspiration was betrayed by Mariano Galván and captain Arias. Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domíguez, la Corregidora, knew about this and sent word to Allende, who was supposed to be in San Miguel El Grande (today, San Miguel de Allende). Not finding him there, captain Aldama rode to Dolores (now, Dolores Hidalgo) to inform Father Hidalgo and Allende of what was happening.

Grito de Dolores

It was in the town of Dolores, in the state of Guanajuato, where Hidalgo and Allende knew that the conspiration had been uncovered. Not having time to talk or deliberate, they decided to start the fight. Father Hidalgo, accompanied by Allende, Aldama and others, on September 15th, 1810, called to Holy mass, and on the church's courtyard he exposed to the people gathered there their plans for México's independence. Then they went to the town's jail, liberated the prisoners and took command from the Spaniards. This group of no more than 300 men initiated the movement that ended 11 years later with México's independence from Spain.

The harangue that Hidalgo probably ended with the words, "Long live our Catholic religion! Long live Fernando VII! Long live our fatherland and may reign forever in this American Continent our Sacred Lady, the most Holy Virgin Guadalupe! Death to the bad government! This is what you will hear from us, and what you shall repeat.", pronounced on the last hours of September 15th, is known today as El Grito de Dolores or Grito de la Independencia.

"¡Viva la religión católica! ¡Viva Fernando VII! ¡Viva la Patria y viva y reine por siempre en este continente americano nuestra sagrada patrona, la Santísima Virgen de Guadalaupe! ¡Muera el mal gobierno! Esto es lo que oiréis decir de nuestra boca y lo que vosotros deberéis repetir."

Señoras y señores, ¡Viva México!

Saludos independientes desde Guadalajara,

Dumois