Variations on a Theme: Mexican Independence Day!

El Grito de la Independencia

Selections of Mexican composers, performers and conductors for the celebration of the Mexican Independence from Spain. It began September 15th 1810 with “The Shout of Independence”.  Independence from Spain was finally recognized September 27th 1821. 

In Broad Strokes

At that time, Mexico included what is now known as Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, most of Utah and more. 

Peace was short lived. Just 15 years later, friction in Texas would eventually lead to the Mexican-American War which lasted from 1845 to 1848 and saw much of Mexico’s territory annexed into the United States. 
Congressman Abraham Lincoln demanded President Polk submit facts to support his reasons for declaring war. Lincoln was suspicious of the actual time and places of events that led to an alleged act of war on Mexico’s part.
President Polk believed the war was supposed to last just a few months, and it lasted 3 years. 

During these few shifting decades in Mexico’s territory and influence, there were numerous events happening within the territory of Native Americans as well.

For information on what was going on in Native American territory simultaneous to all of this, a solid book of context from the point of view of the Comanche Nation is The Empire of the Sun and Moon.

You can view content curated for Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and Native American Heritage month (Oct. 15- Nov. 15th) on our PBS watch portal: Watch.NWPB.org