The "grito"

This week we talked about the declaration of independence in U.S. Government class.
Next week, Dave & I are going on a tour of the Yucatan Peninsula for our Mexican independence Day celebration.
Which led to a discussion in the car this week with my new carpooling buddies, 2 students, about "el grito".
Basically, even though they've lived in Mexico sine they were infants/toddlers, they had no idea what Mexican independence day was all about. Since I'm teaching Mexican history next semester, I gave them a little primer:
In 1810, Father Hidalgo was part of a revolutionary group meeting in secret discussing how Mexican-born Spaniards could overthrow the Spanish ruling class in Mexico to create an "independent" mexico, much like the American colonists had tossed England off their shores. Meanwhile, he was learning indigenous languages and defying the Spanish rules in order to teach the local natives how to make wine and silk and other money-making ventures to promote self-sufficiency.
After some friends of his were arrested for their "treasonous" meetings, he heard that they'd be coming for him next. Well, he wasn't going to go out quietly, so he stood on the steps of his church - the town cathedral - and shouted, "Viva Mexico!! Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!! Viva la INDEPENDENCIA!!!!" Which basically means, 'long live mexico! long live the mother of mexico! long live independence!' and all fo the local indians were so excited that they followed him (literally) and began to walk towards Mexico City.
The walk to the capital would take weeks, and he kept hollering along the way, and colleting more indians. Enough mestizos (mixed blood) mexicans were interested in independence that they kept fighting for it over the next decade, even when Father Hidalgo and other revolutionaries were publicly murdered for their views.
This began Mexico's century-long fight for independence.
Much like our independence day celebration, it has nothing to do with the actual start of democracy, but it does celebrate the patriotism we all feel when we hear about our brave forfathers.
Viva Mexico!!