15 outside the national palace in Mexico City and in Mexican consulates ... and gain their independence. Sept. 16, however, is officially considered Mexico's Independence Day.

Although a movement toward Mexican independence had already been in progress since Napoleon's conquest of Spain, Hidalgo's passionate declaration was a swift, unpremeditated decision. "Mexicanos, Viva ...

This began the 11-year Mexican War of Independence in which Mexico ultimately freed itself from Spanish colonial rule for over 300 years, USA TODAY reported. This important day in history ...