If I were to ask you what the biggest holiday in the Mexican calendar was, what would you respond? Cinco de Mayo? I would have said the same thing until my tíos came to visit from Mexico.

A few years ago, they came to visit the US for the first time ever. During the course of their visit, we started to talk about the US and how things are. One of the things that we brought up was Cinco de Mayo (the Battle of Puebla, where the Mexicans defeated the French, considered one of the best armies at the time, while they tried to occupy Mexico). I told them how huge it is here and they both had befuddled looks on their faces. Eventually, they chuckled and said how it’s really not that big of a deal. If it’s not that big of a holiday, then what is?

I ended up getting my answer one day as I was watching Latino TV on September 16^th. What I saw were Mexicans partying all around the world from the US to Mexico, Europe and beyond. I saw celebrations where well-known Mexican entertainers performed songs that my parents have played forever. I saw the joyous celebrations that captured the pride that many Mexicans feel for the homeland. It was something magical to see.

The events of el 16 de septiembre started when Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and other criollos were betrayed. On September 15^th, 1810, he encouraged his brother, Mauricio, as well as Ignacio Allende and Mariano Abasalo to take some armed men to coerce the sheriff into freeing pro-independence prisoners.

At 6AM the following day, he rang the bells of his church, where he urged his congregation to revolt against the Spanish. This event was known as El Grito de la Independencia (also, known as El Grito de Dolores). The Battle of Guanajuato took place four days later, which helped to mark the beginning of the fighting. It was September 26, 1821, when Mexico formally declared its independence from Spain.

On the death of Hidalgo on July 27, 1811, José María Morelos y Pavón took over leading the insurgents and likewise became regarded as one of the heroes of the Mexican War of Independence.

The festivities for Mexican Independence Day begins on the 15th around 11PM. The President rings a bell. With each ring, he calls out the name of a hero of Mexican independence and finishes with ¡Viva Mexico! This all takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución (Zócalo), one of the largest plazas in the world. When he finishes, the bell is rung one more time before playing the Mexican National Anthem.

When I compared the two holidays, know that I do so in jest. In truth, both are sources of pride for Mexicans. However, for me, I’d give it up to the el 16 de septiembre.