Mexican Independence Day behind the scenes: Culture, history, and economic effects at a glimpse

Every nation celebrates its cultural heritage. Nevertheless, when trying to understand a country's cultural traditions, we can ask ourselves an intriguing question: Is it the holiday by itself what defines a culture, or is it the way we celebrate it?

Each year, the Mexican citizens are eager to celebrate the call of Independence (Grito de Independencia) on the night of the 15th of September at 11 pm. This date also means the start of a big number of festivities that embraces the Mexican market, beginning with the Independence Day, followed by Día de Muertos[1], Christmas and concluding with New Year's Eve (Forbes, 2019).

Formal businesses such as hotels, restaurants, the alcohol and tobacco industry as well as the clothing and stationery stores increase their retail sales expectedly each year on this date. As well as the tourism reactivation after the summer, hence the Independence Day gives the citizens a long weekend.

During the current year in Dolores Hidalgo, situated in the state of Guanajuato, also known as “The Cradle of National Independence,” the government of Guanajuato awaits the arrival of more than 236 thousand visitors plus 48 thousand tourists; the economic impact will total the amount of 507.5 million Mexican pesos (Gobierno del Estado de Guanajuato, 2022).

This celebration commemorates the hope that originated the Spanish Empire's liberation process. Dolores Hidalgo is the Pueblo Mágico[2] where the “Father of Independence,” Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, ignited the war of Independence in 1810, leading thousands of civilians.

In fact, it is not the precise date of the end of 300 years of Spanish rule in the territory. The Independence occurred not until 1821, after 11 years of struggle and confrontations between the insurgent force and the royalist army. The fight for liberation and the win of autonomy materialized when the insurgent troops arrived at the capital and defeated their opponents, the Plan de Iguala was signed and Mexico was declared a sovereign Republic (El País, 2019).

Mexicans honor this day, regardless of not being the actual date of the claim of Independence. It is one of the most important events because it portrays the power people can have, striving for change.

Along with the representation of the patriotism that emanates from this specific date, according to market research made by Master Research, 27% of Mexican citizens indicate that the thing that defines a Mexican is their patriotism, 13% affirmed it is because of traditions, and 12% due to gastronomy. In comparison, 20% think the reason that defines being Mexican is just the place of birth (Animal Politico, 2012).

This holiday's effect is notably relevant and beneficial to the economy, whereas more than 50% of Mexicans spend up to 1000 pesos, 30% between 1000 pesos and 2000 pesos, while the other 20% spend more than 5000 pesos for party purposes (Forbes Mexico, 2019).

According to the numbers given by the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CONCANACO SERVYTUR) from Mexico City, the expected economic impact for the 2021 national independence holiday rounded 4 billion Mexican pesos (Espinosa, 2021). Despite being a significant increase due to the sanitary situation delivered by Covid-19, the projection was not yet a satisfactory result. However, the CONCANACO announced last week the prediction of a 20, 5 billion Mexican pesos figure for the current year (Concanaco Servytur Mexico, 2022).

Without doubt, the Independence Day in Mexico has an immense significance for the Mexican people. It is present in their roots along with a lifetime of tradition and family celebrations. In addtion, we can observe how this day opens more than just a socio-cultural discussion; it also involves the economy and politics.

What is necessary for defining a culture is to study the history told by the people’s voices, considering these last-mentioned aspects and without oblivion of the context we are living.

[1] Día de Muertos: “Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion with offerings that includes food, drinks, and celebration” (History.com Editors, 2021).

[2] Pueblo Mágico: “Defined as places with great symbolism and legends, they are towns whose historical importance has been fundamental for the development of history and that enhance the national identity in each of its spots”  (Visit Mexico, 2022).

References

Concanaco Servytur Mexico. (2022). FIESTAS PATRIAS PROPICIARÁN DERRAMA DE MÁS DE 20 MIL 500 MILLONES DE PESOS: CONCANACO SERVYTUR MÉXICO. Retrieved from https://www.concanaco.com.mx/prensa/comunicados/fiestas-patrias-propiciaran-derrama-de-mas-de-20-mil-500-millones-de-pesos-concanaco-servytur-mexico

El País. (2019). Día de la independencia de México: lo que sabemos pero a veces olvidamos. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/09/16/mexico/1568629946_438057.html

Espinosa, C. A. (2021). SECCIONES SUSCRÍBETE TENDENCIAS:INFLACIÓNEL EMPRESARIOPAQUETE ECONÓMICO 2023MERCADOS:ÍNDICESDIVISAS ESTADOS Lectura 2:00 min Fiestas patrias dejarán derrama económica por 4,009 millones de pesos: Canaco CDMX. Retrieved from El Economista: https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/Fiestas-patrias-dejaran-derrama-economica-por-4009-millones-de-pesos-Canaco-CDMX-20210913-0069.html

Forbes. (2019). Fiestas patrias dejarán derrama de 18,700 mdp. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com.mx/fiestas-patrias-dejaran-derrama-de-18700-mdp/

Forbes Mexico. (2019). Así disfrutan (y gastan) los mexicanos en las fiestas patrias . Retrieved from Forbes Mexico: Economía y Finanzas: https://www.forbes.com.mx/asi-disfrutan-y-gastan-los-mexicanos-en-las-fiestas-patrias/

Gobierno del Estado de Guanajuato. (2022). Más de 236 mil visitantes gritarán en el Estado de Guanajuato ¡Viva México! Retrieved from https://boletines.guanajuato.gob.mx/2022/09/09/mas-de-236-mil-visitantes-gritaran-en-el-estado-de-guanajuato-viva-mexico/

History.com Editors. (2021). Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/day-of-the-dead

Visit Mexico. (2022). Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). Retrieved from Visit Mexico: https://www.visitmexico.com/en/types-of-tourism-in-mexico/pueblos-magicos-magical-towns

[Untitled photograph from Mexican Independence Day]. (2021) https://www.infobae.com/america/fotos/2019/09/16/emotivo-austero-historico-las-fotos-del-grito-de-independencia-en-mexico/