No, Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican independence Day like many Americans seem to think. September 16th, 1810 is their actual day of Independence from the Spanish, making this year the bicentennial year.

The day was marked some 200 years ago by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who was a Roman Catholic Priest, who shouted the following words in a small town called Dolores. This short speech has since been known to Mexicans as the grito.

“My children, a new dispensation comes to us today…Will you free yourselves? Will you recover the lands stolen 300 years ago from your forefathers by the hated Spaniards? We must act at once.”

Festivities to celebrate Mexico’s independence will take place in Mexico City this evening, and will cost the government close to $300 million. Many residents fear violence in the city, which has been the center of attention lately due to drug and crime issues. There have been an estimated 14,000 police personnel dispatched to the area of the celebrations which will feature parades, fireworks, and more.