Eagle Pass Celebrates Mexico’s Declaration of Independence
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias and the City of Eagle Pass celebrated Mexico’s Declaration of Independence (El Grito de Dolores) on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at a beautiful ceremony held at Shelby Park on the banks of the Rio Grande with over 1,000 persons attending the celebration.
Mexico celebrates its 212th Anniversary of its Declaration of Independence on September 16, 2022.
Mexican Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bells early in the morning of September 16, 1810 in Dolores, Guanajuato, Mexico and declared upon the citizens to take action for the independence of Mexico.
Every September 15th, Mexico celebrates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s Grito de Dolores (Declaration of Independence) to commemorate its annual September 16th Independence Day Celebration.
Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias in Eagle Pass, Texas summoned the citizens of Eagle Pass and its sister city, Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, on September 15th to celebrate Mexico’s Grito de Dolores (Declaration of Independence) at a local municipal park along the banks of the Rio Grande.
Consul Naveja Macias was presented a large Mexican flag by an all-female honor color guard from a high school (Preparatoria) in Piedras Negras, Coahuila and proceeded to repeat Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s Grito de Dolores to an enthusiastic large crowd, followed by waving the Mexican flag from side to side and ringing a bell to proclaim Mexico’s Declaration of Independence, concluding with three chants of Viva Mexico and the singing of Mexico’s National Anthem by Eagle Pass recording artist Gerardo “Jerry” Lopez.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr., City Councilwoman Monica J. Cruz, Ramsey English Cantu, Democratic Party Candidate for Maverick County Judge and former Mayor of Eagle Pass, and other local dignitaries joined Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias at the September 15, 2022 Declaration of Independence Celebration.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. read and presented an official City of Eagle Pass Proclamation to Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias proclaiming September 15 and 16, 2022 as Mexico’s Declaration of Independence Days in the border community.
The City of Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a musical festival featuring local and international recording artists and bands together with food and refreshment booths in collaboration with the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce. An amusement carnival with mechanical rides and games was also open for guests to enjoy. The Eagle Pass International Good Neighbor Council also participated and collaborated in the celebration.
