President Claudia Sheinbaum made history on Monday night, becoming the first female president of Mexico to deliver the national Cry of Independence as she continued a long-running tradition on the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day.
With Mexico City’s central square, the Zócalo, filled to the brim, Sheinbaum appeared on the central balcony of the National Palace at 11 p.m. to pay homage to the original “Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores), a call for revolt against Spanish rule issued by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores, Guanajuato, on Sept. 16, 1810.
“Mexicanas, mexicanos,” she began, giving symbolic precedence to the female citizens of the country.
“Long live independence! Long live Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla!” Sheinbaum bellowed on the eve of the 215th anniversary of the start of the Mexican War of Independence.
With the presidential sash draped over her torso, the Mexican flag in her left hand and her husband and three female military cadets standing behind her, the president went on to wish long life to various other Mexican independence heroes, including four women.
Josefa Ortiz Téllez Girón (Sheinbaum used the maiden name of the woman more commonly known as Josefa Ortíz de Domínguez), Leona Vicario, Gertrudis Bocanegra and Manuela Molina were all included in the presidential Grito de Independencia, witnessed also by a small group of high-ranking officials gathered on another National Palace balcony.
In keeping with her oft-repeated “It’s time for women” message, Sheinbaum also wished long life to the “anonymous heroines” of Mexico, the heroines (and heroes) who “gave us a homeland” and the country’s “Indigenous women,” recognition that was especially fitting given that 2025 is the “Year of the Indigenous Woman” in Mexico.
The prominence of women in the inaugural Cry of Independence (Grito de Independencia) delivered by a female president was a historic and important milestone in a notoriously macho country, an act that no doubt inspired millions of Mexican women, and, perhaps even more importantly, the nation’s girls.
In additional nods to the current times, Sheinbaum also wished long life to “our migrant sisters and brothers” — amid an immigration crackdown in the United States — and to a “free, independent and sovereign Mexico.”
The emphasis on Mexico’s independence and sovereignty was particularly apt given the pressure the Mexican government has faced from the Trump administration and the ongoing speculation that the United States could take military action against Mexican drug cartels on Mexican soil, something that Sheinbaum is vehemently opposed to.
The “dignity of the people of Mexico” and freedom, equality, democracy and justice also got their due before the president’s Grito reached its crescendo with three passionate cries of “¡Viva México!”
An estimated 280,000 revelers responded in kind, roaring “Viva!” in unison to offer their full endorsement of the president’s message.
Sheinbaum subsequently rang the Campana de Dolores — the same bell that Hidalgo rang 215 years ago — waved the Mexican flag to the mass of patriots and joined in an especially patriotic rendition of Mexico’s national anthem.
An elaborate fireworks display followed, bringing yet more color, and noise, to the Zócalo — the beating heart of Mexico.
More history is made
The flag Sheinbaum fervently waved was given to the highly-popular president “for the first time in history” by military women from Mexico’s Heroic Military College, the president’s office said in a statement.
The president, the statement noted, “resumed a tradition started by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, by mounting an Honor Guard during her tour of the Gallery of Presidents at the National Palace,” which preceded the delivery of the Grito.
Walking through the National Palace, Sheinbaum and her husband, Jesús María Tarriba, paused in front of a portrait of Leona Vicario — an “historic event,” according to the president’s office, as the portrait of a woman had been placed in the main gallery of the National Palace for the first time.
Zócalo works up to fever pitch
There was a jovial, but calm atmosphere in the Zócalo when Mexico News Daily arrived at around 7 p.m. The facade of the adjacent National Palace veritably glowed in the national colors of red, green and white.
Babies, toddlers, children and elderly citizens in wheelchairs were among the throng of people waiting patiently but eagerly to hear the Grito de Independencia of the first female president the nation has had in the more than two centuries since Mexico became an independent country.
Tacos de canasta, tamales, doraditas and impossibly-heaped chicarrones preparados were all on offer across the vast expanse of the Zócalo, sating the appetites of the citizens of one of the world’s great, and rightfully proud, food countries.
Roving vendors hawked patriotic penachos (headdresses) and sarapes, and cigarettes and candy as well.
The ambience gradually became more exuberant as time passed. The commencement of live music — i.e. the warm-up acts — turned things up another notch, or three. It soon became evident that a not insignificant number of revelers had smuggled their favorite festive beverages into Mexico’s premier national gathering place — beer, canned tequila cocktails, the odd flask of stronger stuff. Despite the family atmosphere, marijuana smoke lingered in the air, but overall the crowd was well-behaved.
When La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho — a band from Sinaloa — started playing, the energy in the Zócalo became palpable. Plenty of people knew all the words of the songs performed by the Latin Grammy award-winning regional music banda, and weren’t at all shy to show it. As 11 p.m. approached, the national party — in the Zócalo and across Mexico — was in full swing. Fever pitch had arrived.
As the vast crowd awaited the appearance of Sheinbaum and the delivery of the Grito, cries of “Claudia!” and “¡presidenta!” broke out and spread across the central square. When she finally appeared, the president was a distant figure on the National Palace balcony for many, but her voice was heard loud and clear:
“Viva México libre, independiente y soberano! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México! ¡Viva México!”
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ([email protected])
That was indeed an historic event in for the history books! Kudos to her!
I watched it live…..what a special, historical event!
I’ve seen a lot of hate on social media today disparaging la Presidenta’s presentation of el grito last night. The right wing parties of haters were out in force trying to divide the people with their disgusting attacks. Politics is always so dirty. I’m happy that those ugly people are now an extreme minority and I raise my voice to say Viva México! Viva la Presidenta! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
It’s a shame we cannot have right wing haters in a minority in the US today. She is so much more intelligent, able and caring than the president and administration we are experiencing in the US. We need this type of leadership. Somebody who clearly believes that women should not be subordinate or subjugated.
I’m “right wing” and love what she is doing.
I don’t know who you are talking about.
She sent 10,000 Mexican Nation Guard to the border to help the USA seal up any holes and with that cooperation the border is secure. The Mexican military Marines are in Chihuahua training with USA marines to combat narco cartels. President Sheinbaum has deported 60+ narcos and cartel leaders to the USA to be prosecuted and jailed. The streets will be safer for women, children and the elderly not to mention everyone else. With the assistance of USA surveillance and information she has closed 1,500 drug laboratories across Mexico that will save 100,000 lives in the USA and to back that up she imposed 50% tariffs on China to stop the precursor drugs to make methamphetamine, crack and Fentanyl drugs out of Mexico, protect Mexican auto workers, keep cheap toxic Chinese products out, and protect Mexican Jobs. With the information from the USA she busted a massive fuel theft cartel scam that included the Mexican Navy with CONTAINER ship loads of fuel and will put billions of barrels of fuel back into the Mexican fuel stations and the fuel prices will stay stable and likely lower for you and me. The also reverses a $100 billion Mexico trade deficit to a $100 billion dollar Mexican trade cash flow that will befit the Mexican citizen if she can keep it out of the Mexican Military industrial complex. That’s a $200 billion dollar directional change. She’s got her own DOGE thing going on and I look forward to reading the positive results and saving from the waste fraud and abuse. She strengthened equal civil rights to Mexican Indian Nationals to have and hold Government jobs for the first time. (Damn Spanish conquerors, lol). I think she will continue to do so because of her history in Mexico City. She is bringing back Mexican national pride and increasing Tourism. Mexico exchange rate is 18.5 to 1 usd..good for Mexico. She has an relationship with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that I must say is outstanding.
I don’t know what “right wing” you’re talking about.
WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?
VIVA MEXICO !
I’m “right wing” and totally love everything she is doing.
You missed my point completely. I’m glad you like what la Presidenta is doing.
I’m so envious of the Mexican people to be able to be so proud of their President.
you can join them vs feeling jealous 🙂
Mr. Mladinich, I truly appreciate your earlier well-written comment and agree 100%. However, I, and I’m sure other readers, are stunned if not disgusted by your unwarranted, rage-inspired, personal attacks like the above. I refer to myself, when talking with Mexicans, as a “gringo.” They usually smile…or we just continue the conversation. Your comments are distracting, annoying (the reason I’m now writing this) and unwarranted. Please stop before I decide to cancel a subscription; I’ve been happily reading MND and living in MX for 14 years; I and, I’m sure. others would like to continue reading in peace . Thank you.
Viva Mexico. What an amazing woman.
Thank you so much for sharing the video of this historic event. It made my heart swell for Mexico and the Mexican people. It also made me convict to become a citizen of Mexico this year. Long live Mexico and la presidenta . Let her become recognized as the example of a dignified, educated and articulate politician that truly has the needs of her people foremost and not those of just the already wealthy or using her presidency to exponentially increase her own net worth . VIVA MEXICO 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽♥️🙏
Congratulations to Mexico for another year of independence. Here’s to many more years to come!
Beautiful! I love that she included the female heroines of Mexican Independence without any need to take away from the accomplishments of the men. She simply included those who have been left out. I also loved her cheering the migrants and indigenous communities. And that she made sure to include that Mexico is independent and sovereign. What a strong and inclusive woman! Viva Sheinbaum!
Pues demostró cínicamente que no le importan los miles y miles de desaparecidos, no incluyó en SU GRITO a las MADRES BUSCADORES
While it would have been nice to mention the madres buscadores I didn’t find a gram of cynicism in La Presidenta’s grito. By my count she mentioned more than seven women, and Sheinbaum used the opportunity to highlight the role of women in Mexico’s independence. Anonymous Heroines, recognizing the contributions of women who played crucial roles in supporting their families and communities during the struggle for independence. Also mentioned Indigenous Women (that surely includes Madres buscadores) and Migrant Women….
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s stirring delivery of El Grito from the Presidential Palace last Monday was more than ceremonial—it was a powerful affirmation of Mexico’s modern spirit and evolving leadership. Sheinbaum represents a new generation of leadership: modern, pragmatic, and deeply rooted in the values of national sovereignty, gender equity and social justice. Recent rhetoric from the Trump administration, suggesting potential military action in Mexico under the guise of combating drug production, is deeply troubling. The root of the crisis lies in the insatiable demand for illicit drugs within the United States—a domestic issue that cannot be solved by exporting military solutions abroad. President Sheinbaum stands at the helm of a country that is increasingly assertive and self-assured. A word of caution to those in Washington who underestimate her: Claudia is not to be trifled with.