Mexico, Mexico marked its 215th Independence Day with vibrant nationwide celebrations, historic tributes, and a powerful message of unity. The annual festivities commemorate the Grito de Dolores, the 1810 call to arms by priest Miguel Hidalgo that ignited Mexico’s fight for freedom from Spanish rule.

This year’s celebration was especially significant as President Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman in Mexican history to lead the traditional “Grito” ceremony from the balcony of the National Palace. Her address honored both male and female heroes of the revolution, including Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, Leona Vicario, and Gertrudis Bocanegra, while also recognizing the contributions of Indigenous women and migrant communities.

Cities and towns across Mexico were adorned in green, white, and red, with parades, mariachi concerts, folk dances, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. In Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of the independence movement, crowds gathered at the historic church where Hidalgo rang the bell that launched the rebellion.

The celebrations reflected not only Mexico’s rich cultural heritage but also its evolving identity, with President Sheinbaum emphasizing sovereignty, dignity, and equality in her address. Her message “No foreign power makes decisions for us” resonated deeply amid ongoing global challenges.