VIVA MEXICO!... It was on this day in the early hours of  September 16, 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Influenced by the concepts of liberty, equality and democracy proposed by the French philosophers Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and by the war of Independence of the United States, rang the bell of his little church in Dolores calling everyone to fight for liberty in a famous speech, known to history as the Grito de Dolores. This was the beginning of the Independence War,  which lasted 10 years.  

VIVA MEXICO!... is the yearly GRITO from millions of Mexican mouths all over the world.  Today,  it will be to celebrate the 199 anniversary of Mexico Independence. It is an always emotional celebration throughout the Country.  Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere. On every street and plaza there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros, reguiletes and pinatas. Flags wave from practically every house and building. People of all ages celebrate.

Food is always a very important part of these festivities. Hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional Antojitos Mexicanos. During September, Mes de la Patria, "the month of our nation" as it is called in Mexico, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes.

In the larger cities and in the smallest towns and villages; painted faces, thousands of green, white and red flags, Sombreros music, traditional dishes, fireworks and much more, fill with color the sites where people gather to participate in this popular family festival. The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as possible with the purpose of showing our Mexican pride and sharing the happiness of being a free country. Everybody is welcome to Mexico. Come to Mexico,  enjoy Mexico, live Mexico. Beyond your expectations. VIVA MEXICO!