Last Sunday night, large crowds gathered in public squares across Lakeside and the rest of the nation to reenact Miguel Hidalgo’s legendary 1810 Cry for Independence.

Patriotic fervor filled the air as people stood shoulder to shoulder, echoing the chants of government leaders as they rang the liberty bell, waved the Mexican flag, and shouted phrases inspired by the Father of the Nation.

“Mexicanos: Long live the Heroes who gave us Homeland and Liberty! Long live Hidalgo! Long live Morelos! Long live Allende! Long live Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez! Long live the Heroes of our national independence! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!”

The words recited during modern-day Grito ceremonies differ greatly from those proclaimed by Padre Hidalgo, who set in motion a chain of events that eventually freed the country from the rule of Spain’s monarch, Joseph Bonaparte, and the Spanish authorities of Nueva España.

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