September 16, 1810
Mexico began its revolt against Spanish rule. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla delivered the cry for freedom (Grito de Dolores) in front of a small crowd of his parishioners in Dolores Hidalgo. This action stemmed from meetings of the literary and social club of Queretaro (now a central state of Mexico), which included the priest, the mayor of the town, and a local military captain named Ignacio Allende. They believed that New Spain should be governed by the Creoles (criollos) rather than the Gachupines (peninsulares). Rev. Hidalgo was joined by Rev. Jose Maria Morelos. Both priests were later executed by firing squads.
