MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

On September 16th , Mexicans celebrate their Independence Day , which marks the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain in 1810. According to Mexican tradition and folklore, on the night of September 15 at 11 p.m., Father Hidalgo went into the parish church in the town of Dolores, rang the church bell, and told the villagers who came running that they needed to revolt against Spain. In modern day celebrations, the president of Mexico honors the legacy of Father Hidalgo by performing a reenactment from the National Palace in Mexico City. Famous Mexican and Mexican-American People: Father Miguel Hidalgo As a respected parish priest and valued member of his community, Father Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811) was the last person anyone would have expected to kick off a revolution in Spanish colonial Mexico. Nevertheless, inside the facade of a dignified clergyman known for his command of complex Catholic theology beat the heart of a true revolutionary. On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo, who was by then in his fifties, took to the pulpit in the town of Dolores to inform his flock that he was taking up arms against the hated Spaniards and invited them to join him. Angry mobs turned into an irresistible army and before long, Hidalgo and his supporters were at the very gates of Mexico City. Hidalgo was captured and executed in 1811—but the revolution he inspired lived on. Today, many Mexicans regard him as the father of their nation. Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was a Mexican artist whose memorable paintings have earned her worldwide acclaim and something of a cult following. In addition to the fame Kahlo achieved in her lifetime, she was also known for being the wife of renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, although, in years since, her reputation has eclipsed his. Kahlo incorporated the vivid colors and signature imagery of traditional Mexican culture into her paintings. Unfortunately, she was not a prolific artist. Due to a childhood accident, she was in constant pain her whole life and produced a body of work that contained fewer than 150 complete pieces. Many of her best works are self-portraits that reflect her physical anguish as well as the torment she sometimes suffered during her troubled marriage to Rivera. Selena Quintanilla-Pérez Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995) was a beloved Mexican-American recording artist, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Tejano is a type of Mexican music that incorporates other styles, such as country and western. Born in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena grew up speaking English. Her father, a former musician taught Selena how to sing in Spanish as a child, which she eventually learned to speak fluently. Selena made her recording debut in the '80s, going on to become an award-winning recording artist in the Latin music scene with albums like Amor Prohibido and Selena Live . In 1995, she was murdered by the founder of her fan club, at the age of 23. Her last album, Dreaming of You , was released after her death in 1995. Traditional Mexican Foods: Enchiladas An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a savory sauce. Originally from Mexican cuisine, enchiladas can be filled with various ingredients, including meats, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or combinations. Tamales A tamale is a traditional Mesoamerican dish, made of masa or dough, which is steamed in a corn leaf or banana leaf. The wrapping can either be discarded prior to eating or used as a plate. Tomatillo The tomatillo , also known as the Mexican husk tomato, is a plant of the nightshade family bearing small, spherical and green or green-purple fruit of the same name. Tomatillos originated in Mexico and were cultivated in the pre-Columbian era. Salsa Salsa is a variety of sauces used as condiments for tacos and other Mexican and Mexican-American foods, and as dips for tortilla chips. They may be raw or cooked, and are generally served at room temperature. Elote Corn Elote corn is Mexican street corn is roasted over an open grill & coated with salt, chile powder, butter, cotija, lime juice, & mayonnaise or crema fresca. Concha Concha is a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll. Conchas get their name from their round shape and their striped, seashell-like appearance. A concha consists of two parts, a sweetened bread roll, and a crunchy topping. Local Mexican-Owned Restaurants: Evelia’s Tamales- Queens, NY https://eveliastamales.com/ Seis Vecinos Restaurant- Bronx, NY https://www.seisvecinos.com/ Alta- New York, NY http://www.altarestaurant.com/ Maya- New York, NY https://www.eatmaya.com/