Mexicans celebrate the anniversary of their independence from Spain with great gusto, particularly in Mexico City where the day before the event the Zocalo fills with throngs of people from early morning, awaiting the appearance of the president on the balcony of the National Palace. At 11am the president duly appears to shout ‘the Cry’, a re-enactment of the 1810 call to independence by Father Hidalgo. The emotional crowd replies with ‘Viva!’ and the city erupts with excitement, abuzz with street parties and fireworks. The following day a three-hour military parade begins at the Zocalo and ends at the Angel monument on the Paseo de la Reforma.

Venue: Zocalo and city streets

Date: 15 - 16 September 2012