In the shadow of Spanish colonial rule that spanned nearly three centuries, a fire of rebellion was kindled in Mexico. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s cry of ‘Grito de Dolores’ in 1810 ignited the spark, rallying the masses against oppression. His words echoed the deep yearning for freedom: ‘I see the day of independence approaching, when this country will break its chains.’
Though Hidalgo’s execution did not quench the flame, leaders like Jose Maria Morelos carried the torch forward. Morelos infused the movement with ideology, demanding social equality and national sovereignty. Despite brutal crackdowns and repeated setbacks, the idea of independence took deep root in the Mexican psyche.
The turning point arrived on February 24, 1821, when military commander Agustin de Iturbide proclaimed the Plan of Iguala from the town of Iguala. This manifesto rested on three guarantees: Roman Catholicism as the official religion, absolute independence from Spain, and union among all social classes with equal rights. These principles united royalists and insurgents alike, bridging deep divides.
The plan’s success was swift. In August 1821, the Treaty of Cordoba formalized Mexico’s separation from Spain. On September 27, independence fighters triumphantly entered Mexico City, marking the end of colonial domination. Iturbide was crowned Emperor Agustin I, ushering in a brief constitutional monarchy that soon unraveled amid political turmoil.
More than a mere political pact, the Plan of Iguala symbolized a profound national awakening. Forged from decades of sacrifice, it enshrined values of faith, freedom, and unity that continue to define Mexican identity today.