Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum marks a milestone as she becomes the inaugural female leader of the Independence Day celebratory extravaganza.
Mexico Celebrates Independence Day with a Historical First
Mexico's Independence Day celebrations commenced on Monday night, marking a significant moment in the country's history. For the first time, a woman led the country's most important celebration. President Claudia Sheinbaum, the first female president in Mexico, rang the bell of the historic Government Palace to commemorate the 215th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain.
Sheinbaum shouted from a balcony of the Government Palace, exclaiming, "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!" This was followed by the ringing of the bells of the capital's cathedral and the singing of the national anthem.
The traditional call to arms, known as the "Cry of Independence", is commemorated every year. However, this year's celebration marked a departure from tradition, as it was led by a woman. Griselda Álvarez, the first woman elected governor in Mexico, cried out for independence in 1980, but Sheinbaum's leadership of the national celebration is a substantial change.
The celebrations took place in the main square of the Mexican capital, where hundreds gathered to witness the historical moment. The tradition of bell-ringing and cheers was introduced in 1880 and has been a part of the Independence Day celebrations ever since.
However, the celebrations were not without their challenges. Authorities in several municipalities in the western state of Michoacán and the northwestern state of Sinaloa suspended mass independence celebrations due to ongoing violence. Sinaloa has been mired in violence for a year due to fierce fighting between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Hundreds of people have been left dead in the violence affecting vast regions of the country.
Despite these challenges, the celebrations in the Mexican capital were a celebration of the country's rich history and its progress towards gender equality. Alfredo Ávila, a researcher, acknowledged that the celebration has been "very patriarchal" for years. He noted that the fact that it's a woman who led the celebration represents a substantial change.
Mexican families celebrated Independence Day at home with traditional dishes such as pozole and chiles en nogada. The day is commemorated across the country with fireworks, musical performances, rallies, and military parades.
President Sheinbaum ended a century-long tradition of male leaders leading the country's most important celebration, and her leadership is a testament to the progress Mexico has made towards gender equality. As the country continues to celebrate its independence, it is also looking towards a future where all its citizens have an equal opportunity to lead and shape the nation.
