Sheinbaum rings historic bell as thousands fill Zocalo for Mexican Independence Day
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum led her second Independence Day Grito from the National Palace on Tuesday night as thousands gathered in Mexico City's Zocalo to mark the 216th anniversary of the country's independence struggle.
Footage showed Sheinbaum and her husband, Jesus Maria Tarriba, watching fireworks and a light show from the palace balcony as crowds below waved Mexican flags.
Shortly after 23:00 local time, Sheinbaum delivered the traditional proclamations honouring figures from Mexico's fight for independence. This year's ceremony also recognised Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples and migrants, while celebrating freedom, equality, justice and democracy.
Sheinbaum concluded by hailing a free, independent and sovereign Mexico before ringing the historic bell and waving the national flag over the crowd.
The ceremony followed hours of musical and cultural performances in the Zocalo, with Intocable among the main acts. In 2025, Sheinbaum became the first woman in Mexican history to lead the traditional Grito from the National Palace.
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The Grito commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's call for resistance against Spanish rule on September 16, 1810. Mexico's independence struggle ended in 1821.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
