Dolores Hidalgo

Dolores Hidalgo was renamed after the war for independence in honor of the priest who started it all: Miguel Gregorio Antonio Igancio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallega Mondarte Villaseñor (a.k.a. Miguel Hidalgo).    The town is a mere hour bus ride from Guanajuato, so on our way back stopped in to see the church and the town where the famous "Grito de Dolores" happened on September 16th, 1810. 

In the picture, you can see a statue of Hidalgo with the church from where he made his famous proclamation for freedom.  Yes, his statue is wearing a toga - and no, that's not historically accurate clothing.  

   After declaring that the fight for independence was ON!, Hidalgo went to Guanajuato, where the first battle for independence was fought at the Alhóndiga.  Hidalgo was betrayed on March 21st along with three other revolutionary leaders, José Mariano Jiménez, Juan Aldama, and Ignacio Allende.  They were killed in June, and their heades were placed on the four corners of the Alhóndiga, where they hung until 1821, when Mexican independence was finally won.  

     The 200th anniversary of the Mexican Indepence is coming up in 2010, and there are electronic countdown markers in all the major cities.  Considering how the 16th is celebrated, the bicentennial will be a heck of a party!