Mexico City, Mexico — Millions of people across the country celebrated the 213th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico.
On Friday night, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador led the ceremony of the 213th Anniversary of the Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence) from the main balcony of the National Palace.
The largest celebration was in central Mexico City where thousands of people gathered in the Zócalo. From there, López Obrador waved the patriotic labarum that he received from the escort of cadets of the Heroic Military College in the Hall of Ambassadors.
Later, accompanied by members of his Cabinet, he watched the fireworks that illuminated the first painting of the capital.
President López Obrador said that Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave his life for the Independence of Mexico and justice by proclaiming the abolition of slavery.
He recalled that in the battle of Monte de las Cruces, on October 30, 1810, priest Miguel Hidalgo, in an act of humanism, decided to protect the lives of thousands of members of the Insurgent army made up of the people and royalists, belonging to the viceregal forces. Until 1824 he was recognized as the Father of the Nation after the triumph of the independence movement.
The rest of the evening was celebrated with music in the Plaza de la Constitución, Mexico City’s main public square.
Similar shows were seen around the country including the state of Quintana Roo where each of the 11 municipalities participated with their own celebrations. From the state’s capital city of Chetumal, Governor Mara Lezama gave the traditional Cry of Independence from the central balcony of the Government Palace.
In the presence of thousands, the Governor gave the harangue and everyone chanted: Long live national independence! Long live the Heroes who gave us homeland and freedom! Long live Miguel Hidalgo! Long live José María Morelos !, Long live the women of Quintana Roo! and Long live Mexico!
During the ceremony for the 213th Anniversary of the Cry of the Independence of Mexico, Mara Lezama waved the Mexican flag while a choir sang the Quintana Roo and Mexican National anthems, closing the honors to the Flag of Mexico.
