Title
Recognizing and Honoring the 206th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence Day.
Body
WHEREAS, Mexico Independence War started on September 16, 1810, with “El Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores) proclaimed by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and culminated in September 27, 1821, with the entrance of the Army of the Three Guarantees, led by Augustin de Iturbide; and
WHEREAS, The United States Declaration of Independence, decades before El Grito de Dolores, influenced and inspired Mexicans to call for a redistribution of land and social and racial equality, and to halt three hundred years of Spanish oppressive rule over Mexican territory; and
WHEREAS, After months of planning a revolution against the Spanish rule, the plot was unveiled and Spanish officials started persecuting the men involved. In the town of Dolores, on the morning of September 16, 1810, before the Spanish came for him, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla made the announcement that he would take arms against the Spanish government, and invited everyone to join him. Within hours, he had an army. This is what is now known as “El Grito de Dolores”; and
WHEREAS, Mexicans all over the world get together every September 16th to celebrate their Independence Day with parades, festivals, feasts and parties. Every year, local mayors and politicians re-enact the Grito de Dolores. In Mexico City, people congregate to hear the president ring the same bell Hidalgo did in 1810, and recite the Grito; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 15,500 Mexicans or Mexican descendants in the City of Philadelphia who have commemorated this date annually, with pride and passion, making this the most attended event of PECO’s Penn’s Landing Multicultural Series; and
WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, the Mexican Cultural Center has worked tirelessly to produce the Mexican Independence Day Festival, which celebrates and promotes Mexican culture and traditions. This event welcomes and gathers families of all Hispanic heritages, to celebrate their union along with traditional music, arts and crafts, folklore and food; and
WHEREAS, In the celebration of the Mexican Independence Day in 2015, Mayor James Kenney mentioned how happy he is that Mexicans have chosen Philadelphia as their City of residence, that elected officials will never let anyone tell them how they should treat Philadelphian’s of Mexican descent, and that Philadelphia has their backs; and
WHEREAS This festival not only commemorates the Mexican Independence Day, but it also celebrates the rich, diverse and unique culture Mexico brings to the United States, and the growing connections and success people have achieved in this country; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased to honor this day as Mexican Independence Day, and to celebrate together, in recognition of and celebration of Mexican heritage, hard work and a longstanding relationship with the City; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes the 206th Anniversary of the Mexican Independence Day.
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