Celebrate Mexican Independence Day Deliciously at Mexicali Blues!
Many people make the assumption that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's version of the United Staes' 4th of July. Actually, Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 each year. Since that date is coming up on the calendar next week, the crew at Mexicali Blues thought you might enjoy learning about this annual holiday. Maybe it's the extra excuse you need to head on over to our Lake of the Ozarks Mexican restaurant to join in the celebration. (As if you needed an excuse!)
Also known as "Grito de Dolores" (which is Spanish for "Cry of Dolores"), Cinco de Mayo takes place to commemorate the Mexican army's victory over the French forces of Napoleon III in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. Grito de Dolores is the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. After a decade of war, Spain's control over the country was removed, which before the war ended was known as New Spain rather than Mexico.
"Cry of Dolores" does not refer to a woman's name in this case, but the name of the city where the Mexican War of Independence began in the early morning hours of September 16, 1810. A priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was in contact with others that wished to free the county from Spain's control. He rang the bell of his church to call the public to fight, and then gave a rousing speech that started the revolution. The final words were "Viva Mexico!" which is phrase that is repeated again and again at modern day celebrations.
Today, the Mexican president begins the celebration every year at exactly 11:00 pm on September 15, the night before. He takes his place on the balcony at the National Palace in Mexico City and rings the same bell that Migeul rang all those years ago. He then recites a speech based upon the famous words that began the war. After each line of the speech, over 500,000 people in attendance yell "Viva Mexico!", then repeat the phrase threefold at the end of the speech.
Once this is done, everyone celebrates in a very similar fashion as we do here in the U.S.A. for our 4th of July. They sing the national Mexican anthem, shoot off fireworks, show off their red, white, and green country colors, wave the flag, and enjoy parties with family and friends.
We don't plan on shooting off any fireworks for Mexican Independence Day at Mexicali Blues this year, but we will be serving the best Mexican food and margaritas at the Lake of the Ozarks! Invite all your family and friends to join you for dinner and, if you feel like it, dress up in your best red, white, and green.
Of course, you're welcome to do that exact same thing every Tuesday-Saturday beginning at 4:00 pm at our Lake of the Ozarks Mexican restaurant & cantina. When you make the decision to head on over to Mexicali Blues, you're in store for a deliciously good time!
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