Happy Mexican Independence Day. What is it and when is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated?

Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on Sept. 16, a holiday often confused with Cinco de Mayo.

The day commemorates El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, on Sept. 16, 1810 — a call to action by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla to fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain, according to the Library of Congress . 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 coincides with the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated Sept. 15-Oct. 15.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities to America over the course of the nation’s history, including through art, advocacy work and food, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino .

When is Hispanic Heritage Month?

National Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to coincide with the numerous independence days of Latin American countries, including Mexico. The observance began as a weeklong celebration in 1968, and President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month in 1988, according to the National Museum of the American Latino.

Why do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

The monthlong observance aims to show how the Hispanic and Latino communities have “held significant roles throughout our country’s history” since the American Revolution, according to the National Museum of the American Latino. It also highlights that with the large Latino and Hispanic population in America comes the need for people to learn more about the communities’ history and experiences.

Hispanic people made up nearly one-fifth of America’s population last year, and accounted for just under 71% of the overall growth of America’s population between 2022 and 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau reported in June.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Are you confused about the difference between Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo in May ? Here's what to know.

On May 5, 1862, Mexican troops defended the town of Puebla from France, according to the Library of Congress . The victory, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza who was outnumbered with 2,000 troops versus the French’s 6,000, was declared a national holiday by Mexico’s President Benito Juárez, the History Channel reported .

French emperor Napoleon III sought to expand the French empire, according to the Getty Research Institute , and the town was later seized by the French, according to the Library of Congress. But by 1867, France finally withdrew from Mexico, according to the History Channel.

Cinco de Mayo is more popular in America than it is in Mexico though, gaining popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, USA TODAY reported .

"It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," UC Santa Barbara Chicanx historian Mario García told USA TODAY in 2022. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Happy Mexican Independence Day. What is it and when is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated?