Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, sets a precedent as the first female leader to headline the Independence Day grand celebration
In the heart of the Mexican capital, a historic moment took place on Monday night as President Claudia Sheinbaum rang the bell of the Government Palace to commemorate the 215th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain. This tradition, known as the "Cry of Independence," is an annual event that marks a call to arms made by the priest Miguel Hidalgo in 1810.
The main square of the city was the setting for the grand celebrations, where the national anthem was sung, and the bells of the capital's cathedral also rang after Sheinbaum's bell-ringing. The traditional celebration, which has been maintained since the beginning of the 19th century, has seen a substantial change this year. For the first time, a woman led the country's most important celebration, ending a century-long tradition of only men in this role.
In Sinaloa, the only independence celebration in the state will take place to replace the suspended mass celebrations due to ongoing violence. The state has been mired in violence due to fierce fighting between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha announced that there will be a civic event in Sinaloa with the participation of all three branches of government and the armed forces.
This change was not the first time a woman declared Mexico's independence. In 1980, Griselda Álvarez, a former governor of Colima, was the first Mexican to cry out for independence. Álvarez was also the first woman elected governor in Mexico.
Alfredo Ávila, a researcher, noted that the celebration has been "very patriarchal" for years, and the fact that a woman gave the cry represents a substantial change. This change signifies a step towards gender equality in Mexico's political landscape.
Every year, the "Cry of Independence" is commemorated, recalling the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, which started with Miguel Hidalgo's "Grito de Dolores" on September 16, 1810. On this day, Mexican families celebrate Independence Day at home with traditional dishes such as pozole and chiles en nogada.
Despite the joyous celebrations, authorities in several municipalities in Michoacán and Sinaloa suspended mass independence celebrations due to the ongoing violence. However, the spirit of independence and the pursuit of a better future for Mexico remains undeterred.
Sheinbaum shouted from a balcony of the Government Palace, declaring, "Long live the dignity of the Mexican people! Long live freedom! Long live equality! Long live democracy! Long live justice! Long live a free, independent, and sovereign Mexico!" These words echoed through the square, symbolizing the determination and resilience of the Mexican people in preserving their independence.
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