Exactly 194 years and one day ago, a revolt erupted in Mexico that would eventually lead to the country's independence.
On Sept. 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a parish priest in Dolores, rang the bell of his church, calling all Mexicans, in what was one of the most important local revolts of the Mexican War of Independence, to begin the fight for their independence.
To celebrate the Mexican Independence Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month, El Concilio, an ASU group made of 12 Hispanic organizations, held its third annual Hispanic Heritage Day on Hayden Lawn.
"The main goal was just to raise awareness of our presence on campus," said David Virgil, the El Concilio facilitator. "If it wasn't for us, this month would go unnoticed."
Jonathan Grindell, a global technologies and development graduate student, said he enjoyed the event and felt it was a good idea to celebrate.
"A lot of times independence of other cultures, ethnicities, is kind of ignored," Grindell said. "It's important to celebrate Mexican Independence Day."
El Concilio volunteer Bernadette Vasquez said she hopes the event will make students more aware of Hispanic Heritage Month.
"Hispanics need to be proud of their culture," she said.
The event featured a Mariachi band, traditional ballet folklorico and free chips. Carne asada was also for sale to help raise funds for Nosotros y Tu, a bilingual student magazine, Virgil said. Virgil estimated the crowd at 180 people.
"It went really well," Virgil said. "People seemed happy. Food was good, music was good, it was just a really good turnout."
