For the first time in its 215-year history, Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations were led by a woman—President Claudia Sheinbaum—marking a watershed moment for a country long defined by its patriarchal traditions. On the night of September 15, 2025, Sheinbaum stepped onto the central balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, draped in the presidential sash and flanked by her husband and three female military cadets. As the clock struck 11 p.m., she delivered the historic “grito,” or shout, to a packed Zócalo, Mexico’s central square, filled with an estimated 280,000 revelers, according to Mexico News Daily.
The “grito” ceremony, officially called the Cry of Independence, is a tradition that commemorates the call to arms made by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores, Guanajuato, on September 16, 1810. The event has always been performed the evening before Independence Day. But this year, the symbolism ran deeper. As the first female president, Sheinbaum’s presence on the balcony was not just a nod to history—it was a bold statement about the future. “Mexicanas, mexicanos,” she began, giving precedence to the nation’s women. “Long live independence! Long live Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla!” she proclaimed, her voice echoing across the square.
Sheinbaum’s shout did not just honor the traditional heroes of Mexico’s independence; it also shone a spotlight on the women who played pivotal roles in the country’s liberation. She invoked the names of Josefa Ortiz Téllez Girón, Leona Vicario, Gertrudis Bocanegra, and Manuela Molina, as well as the “anonymous heroines” and “Indigenous women” who shaped the nation’s destiny. This recognition was especially poignant given that 2025 has been designated the “Year of the Indigenous Woman” in Mexico. The president’s message was clear: “It’s time for women.”
According to AP, Sheinbaum’s inclusion of women in her address was a historic and important milestone in a country that has struggled with gender equality. The crowd, a vibrant mix of families, children, and elderly citizens, responded with waves of “Viva!” as Sheinbaum’s words resonated through the Zócalo. The atmosphere was electric—food vendors served tacos de canasta and tamales, roving sellers offered patriotic headdresses and sarapes, and the air buzzed with anticipation. As the night wore on, live music from La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho amped up the festivities, and the crowd’s excitement reached fever pitch.
But the night was not just about celebration. It was also a moment of political significance. From the balcony, Sheinbaum sent a strong message about Mexico’s sovereignty. “No foreign power makes decisions for us,” she declared, as reported by Al Jazeera. “No interference is possible in our homeland.” While she did not name any specific country, her words were widely interpreted as a response to ongoing diplomatic pressure from the United States. The U.S. government has repeatedly urged Mexico to intensify its crackdown on drug cartels and strengthen border security—a pressure that ramped up under the Trump administration, which even offered to send U.S. troops to fight cartels, some of which have been designated as terrorist organizations.
Sheinbaum has consistently rejected such proposals, emphasizing that Mexico’s actions against organized crime are driven by its own interests, not by external demands. Her administration has extradited dozens of cartel figures to American authorities and highlighted lower fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border. Still, she insists these measures are about protecting Mexico, not yielding to U.S. pressure. “Her administration has been more aggressive in pursuing the cartels than her predecessor,” reported AP, “handing over dozens of cartel figures to American authorities and pointing to lower fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border.” Yet, Sheinbaum has been adamant: “No foreign power makes decisions for us.”
The next day, September 16, the celebrations continued with a traditional military parade through Mexico City. Before her cabinet and thousands of soldiers, Sheinbaum reiterated her stance on sovereignty, again stating, “No interference is possible in our homeland.” The parade was another opportunity for the president to showcase her commitment to national dignity and independence, themes that have become central to her administration.
In another nod to the changing times, Sheinbaum’s ceremonial flag was handed to her for the first time by military women from Mexico’s Heroic Military College. The president’s office noted that she also resumed a tradition started by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador by mounting an Honor Guard during her tour of the Gallery of Presidents at the National Palace. There, she and her husband, Jesús María Tarriba, paused before the portrait of Leona Vicario—a moment described as “historic” by the president’s office, as it marked the first time a woman’s portrait had been placed in the main gallery.
Throughout the night, the Zócalo was alive with the sights and sounds of celebration. According to Mexico News Daily, the crowd was jovial yet calm, with families mingling alongside young revelers. The national colors of red, green, and white illuminated the National Palace, and the party atmosphere was palpable. As midnight approached, chants of “Claudia!” and “¡presidenta!” swept through the square, underscoring the excitement and pride felt by many at witnessing this historic moment.
When Sheinbaum rang the Campana de Dolores—the same bell that Hidalgo rang 215 years ago—she was not just echoing the past. She was ringing in a new era for Mexico, one in which women’s contributions are celebrated and the country’s sovereignty fiercely defended. The ceremony concluded with a rousing rendition of the national anthem and a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the Mexico City sky.
Sheinbaum’s leadership during the Independence Day celebrations was a powerful reminder of how far Mexico has come—and how much further it hopes to go. Her presidency, which began in October 2024, has already broken barriers and set new precedents. As she continues to navigate the complex relationship with the United States and address the challenges of organized crime, her message of independence, equality, and national pride is resonating with millions.
For the girls and women of Mexico, and for all those who believe in progress and sovereignty, this year’s Independence Day was more than a commemoration—it was a promise of what’s possible when history is made anew.
