President Sheinbaum Gives Historic Grito
This article by Emir Olivares Alonso originally appeared in the September 15, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.
Mexico City. The historic Dolores Bell rang as it does every September 15th. For the first time in Mexican history, a woman wielded the long ribbon that rang this ancient device, a symbol of the beginning of the independence struggle.
The Tin-tan… Tin-tan of the bell flooded a Zócalo where thousands gathered to take part in history: the first Grito of the country’s first female president.
“Long live a free, independent, and sovereign Mexico!” President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo signed just minutes earlier to reaffirm national independence in the face of new global geopolitics.
There were 22 harangues launched by the head of the Executive, which a dedicated square returned one by one with “Vivas!”
National heroes were among the cheers: Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos, Ignacio Allende, and Vicente Guerrero. But the first female president remembered the female protagonists of that episode in national history: “Long live Josefa Ortíz Téllez Girón!”, “Long live Leona Vicario!”, “Long live Gertudris Bocanegra!”, “Long live Manuela Molina, ‘La Barragana’!”
The unsung heroines, the heroines and heroes who gave us our homeland, Indigenous women, and migrants, also featured in the Presidential cry.
To close with six more: “Long live the dignity of the people of Mexico!”, “Long live freedom!”, “Long live equality!”, “Long live democracy!”, “Long live justice!”, “Long live Mexico, free, independent, and sovereign!”; and as a finale, three cheers to the homeland: “Long live Mexico!”, “Long live Mexico!”, “Long live Mexico!”
The Zócalo, the political, social, and cultural heart of the country, was transformed into a stage from which people—who waited patiently for hours—witnessed a new chapter in the country’s recent history.
The President honored the ceremony. She mounted an honor guard in front of a newly installed painting in the Gallery of Presidents, an oil portrait by Leona Vicario. She then received the flag in the Reception Hall of the National Palace from a female escort from the Heroic Military College. Afterward, she stepped out onto the central balcony of the historic building, alongside her husband, Jesús María Tarriba.
A euphoric plaza awaited her, welcoming her with cheers and the familiar refrain that transformed with the change of administration: “It is an honor to be with Claudia today.”
The monumental flag, hoisted at full mast, danced to the rhythm dictated by the strong wind that blew to commemorate the 215th Cry of Independence.
From the balcony, the President waved the national flag.
On the adjacent balconies, guests attended the ceremony: federal government cabinet officials and leaders such as the head of government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada.
The patriotic colors took over the Zócalo, and the tricolor tide erupted in jubilation at the end of the ceremony, when the President—after handing over the national flag—appeared on the balcony for the last time, to bid farewell to a people who had waited to be part of this historic day.
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