Viva Mexico!

San Antonio's mayor, Julian Castro, has been appointed by President Obama to accompany a coterie of administration officials to Mexico City to participate in Mexico's bicentennial independence celebration.  Mexican Independence Day, September 16, is often referred to simply as "Diez y Seis" (Sixteen). 

Although not appointed by the President, I plan to attend San Antonio's Diez y Seis celebration at the Municipal Auditorium Wednesday night, where Armando Ortiz Rocha, Consul General de Mexico, will lead the "El Grito" ceremony, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

"El Grito" means "The Cry", and echoes the passionate address of Father Miguel Hidalgo urging the people of the village of Dolores to begin the rebellion against the Spanish in 1810.  Every September 15 at 11:00pm  the President of Mexico issues the cry from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City.  Several other Grito celebrations will take place in U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.

In San Antonio's ceremony, the  Consul General will shout out a series of "Vivas":  "Viva La Independencia!"  (The crowd responds, "Viva!"), "Viva Mexico!" ("Viva!").  He'll also shout Vivas to specific heroes of the fight for independence.  I still have to learn the names of the revered ones who correspond to our Paul Revere, George Washington, etc.

I'm not Mexican, I have no Mexican heritage, but I am a Mexiphile, after all, so I can't wait to "Viva!" as many people and political entities as they can think of.  And then I might just come home and do it all again as I watch the official ceremony live from Mexico City on Univision.