2012 Sept 16 Independence Day Mexico Fiesta

Mexican Independence Day 16 de Septiembre:    by May Herz                                           El Grito de Independencia

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2011 was the year of the Bicentennial Celebrations in Mexico. This wonderful country commemorated   200 years of Independence  from Spanish rule and 100 years of  its  Revolution that began in 1910 and toppled dictator Porfirio Diaz.   El Grito every 16th of September is the Mexican Fiesta par excellence! On this day Mexicans all over the world celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule. As you know, indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. They created great civilizations such as the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and of course the most powerful of all, the Aztec Empire.   After Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, the Spaniards carried out expeditions to find gold and riches from these faraway lands.   In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by an ambitious man: Hernán Cortés.  At this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over all Mesoamérica. So the Spaniards decided to direct their attacks towards them.  The indigenous nations that were under the Aztec rule were tired of the physical and economic hardships imposed upon them by this empire.  This circumstance made them think that by helping the Conquerors defeat the Aztecs, they would be better off.  So they decided to aid the Spaniards. This is how the Conquest of what is now Mexico began.   On the 13th of August 1521, Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor was captured. The indigenous allies of the Spaniards raided Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire. They didn’t know it at the time, but they had been liberated from one oppressor and fallen in the hands of a much more powerful authoritarian. This was the beginning of three centuries of Spanish rule. The new colony was named Nueva España, New Spain.  The years that followed were devastating. The conquerors brought with them diseases unknown to the natives. The epidemics that broke out as well as the merciless workload imposed upon the natives dramatically diminished the Indian population.   There were approximately 20 million Indians inhabiting this territory before the Conquest, and after just one century of Spanish rule there were only 1 million left!   Colonial society was highly stratified. Spaniards born in Spain, occupied the higher echelons, followed by Criollos, those born in Mexico from Spanish parents; Mestizos, the mix- blood offspring of Spaniards and Natives; Indios, Native Indians; Negros, African slaves.   Each socio-ethnic group had different rights and duties. The privileged were the peninsular Spaniards.  Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst the Criollos, who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish Crown.   It is no surprise then, that Criollos were the spark that ignited the Independence movement.   In  1808, Napoleon invaded Spain, and decided to impose his brother José Bonaparte, as king of Spain (1808-1810).  The Criollos found in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence form Spain. Influenced by the concepts of liberty, equality and democracy proposed by the French philosophers Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and by the war of Independence of the United States, they decided to start a revolt.  It was 1810, and their plan was to start the war on the 2nd of October.  Unfortunately, their plans were discovered in early September. The movement was in trouble. They had two alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately.  Fortunately for our country they decided upon the second alternative.  In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators –Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez-   rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty.  This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.    Celebrating! And this is the moment that every 16th of September is re enacted in every plaza or zócalo of Mexico, and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world.   Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes -shuttlecock, all with the green, white and red, our National Colors. Flags wave from practically every house and building. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the Zócalo, main plaza, in Mexico City.  This main plaza of every town and city is the place where the great 16 De Septiembre celebrations take place. People of all ages come to this fiesta, to take part in the collective gaiety!  Food is always a very important part of these festivities. Literarily hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional antojitos, most aptly described as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch.  Punch. ponche, is a drink made of fruits that are in season: guayabas, sugarcane, raisins and apples, and such a delicious aroma! During September, Mes de la Patria, the month of our nation as it is called in Mexico, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes, such as Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Guacamole and chips. During the evening of September 15, people start gathering in the zócalo. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress: men as Charros and women as China Poblanas, or indigenous dresses. Those who don't own a typical outfit, at least dress find something to wear in the colors of the flag. Live Mariachi Music bands play to the delight of all present. There are also photography stands where one can have a picture taken, attired with a sombrero and atop a wooden horse! The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as possible with fake trumpets, noisemakers and whistles! As the evening advances, the plaza gradually fills with more and more people; suddenly there is practically no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach a crescendo at the culminating moment when a government official arrives in the zócalo, at 11:00 P.M. to give the grito or cry of Independence.  This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo, gathered his followers in Dolores Guanajuato. It is customary for our President to deliver the grito in Mexico City’s zócalo. It is in this plaza, atop Palacio Nacional, the National Palace -a beautiful colonial building where the President’s offices are located-, that the original bell rung by Hidalgo is placed. And this is the bell that is rung every 16th of September.  The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of our Independence, to end with the exciting VIVA MÉXICO!  When the grito ceremony ends, the sky lights up with multicolored rockets that shower our hearts with the pride of knowing that we are a free and independent nation. Enjoy Your Day!

2012 Activities and Events

Jan 01, Sand Drags Algodones Dunes
Feb 24, Mexican Flag Day
Feb 26, Rodeo Rancho Magana
Mar 03 Party of La Paloma Plata Curios
Mar 24 Farewell Party
Apr 07 65 th Anniversary Party Paraiso Restaurant
May 05 5 De Mayo Party
Jun 16 Festival Tequila Party
July 17 118 Aniversary of Los Algodones Downtown
Sep 15 Celebrate Mexican Independence
Sep 22 Anniversary Of The Green Door Bar
Oct 20 Degustation Party - degustación del Partido - (Tasting)
Oct 27 Beer Festival
Nov 02 Celebration Traditional - Dia De Muertos
Nov 20 ? Revolutionary Mexican Day
Nov 27 ? Festival of the Catholic Church
Dec 03 ? Welcome Winter Visitors (Official).
Dec 10 ? Paraiso Pary Welcome
Dec 11 ? Virgen De Guadalupe Celebration
Dec 12 ? Peregrimation for 2 Days at Church
? Dates Subject to Change and/or Not Confirmed Yet

2010 Welcome winter visitor's Los Algodones, B.C. Mexico

2010 December 4th Saturday 9 A.M. to early afternoon.

Welcome Winter Visitors Party

DEC. 04

Ave A Between 2nd & 3rd St

Other up coming events for Los Algodones, B.C. Mexico


Welcome Winter Visitors Party DEC. 04 Ave A Between 2nd & 3rd St

MEXICAN PARTY "EL PARAISO RESTAURANT DEC. 10

2011 EVENTS
SAND DRAGS AT THE DUNES JAN. 1
NEW YEARS PARTY AT GREEN DOOR (NIGHT CLUB) JAN. 2
VALENTINES PARTY AT GREEN DOOR FEB. 14
Mexican Flag Day FEB. 24

FEISTA OF La Paloma de Plata Curios MAR.06 3rd Street Between Ave A & Ave B

Spring Party Winter Visitors Mar. 19 Ave A Between 1st & 2nd St

ANNIVERSARY OF EL PARAISO RESTAURANT APRIL 06 Ave A Between 1st & 2nd St
117 ANNIVERSARY OF LOS ALGODONES DOWN TOWN JUL. 17

Clothing Fabric entering from China, Indonesia, etc

A bit of information that you might like to know about. We have friends here in our community and one of their sons is an entomologist (insect expert), and has been telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occurring in America. Recently I have heard on the news that several stores in NYC have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey.

He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside of Mexico and America, (sad but true), even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from China, Indonesia, etc. The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing and bedding as these countries do not consider them a problem. He recommends that if you buy any new clothing, bedding, fabric, even underwear and socks, sheets, towels, etc. that you bring them into the house and put them in your clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes. The heat will kill them and their eggs. DO NOT PURCHASE FABRICS and Place them in your home or hang them in the closet first. It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S. They still get shipments from these countries and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter. That is the reason why so many stores, many of them clothing stores have had to shut it down in NYC and other places. All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and you will go to hell and back trying to get rid of them. He travels all over the country as an advisor to many of these stores, as prevention and after they have the problem.
Reccomend that this be Send this information on to those on your e-mail list so that this good prevention information gets around quickly.