Fall 2007 January 4, 2008 Independence Day; national identity News Independence Day in September? Sí, for many Latinos, September is the month of their country-of-origin’s independence from Spain. They won it in 1821. For Mexico, the war began in 1810 with what is known as the “Grito de Dolores” (a shout in the town of Dolores) by a priest, Father Hidalgo, for the struggle for independence to begin. In Mexico City’s main plaza at 11 PM on Sept. 15, the President rings the original 1810 bell and he shouts to the people “Viva México.” The crowd responds “Viva.” There are parades on Sept. 16, the actual holiday. September is the also month to celebrate independence in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Culture Tips Relating to the paragraph above, please remember that most Spanish-speaking immigrants identify themselves by nationality and not as Hispanic or Latino or Latin American. Also, even though they remember and honor their origins, they strongly believe in the “American” Dream – that with hard work and determination you can succeed in this country.

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