Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, widely revered as the father of Mexican independence, was born on May 8, 1753, near Guanajuato, Mexico, and tragically died on July 30, 1811, in Chihuahua. This Mexican Hidalgo was not only a Roman Catholic priest but also a pivotal revolutionary leader who ignited the flames of rebellion against Spanish colonial rule.
Hidalgo, the second child of Cristóbal Hidalgo, received a robust education, starting at a Jesuit secondary school. He furthered his studies and obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy from San Nicolás College in Valladolid, now Morelia, in 1773. In 1778, he was ordained a priest, embarking on a relatively quiet early career until 1803. That year marked a turning point when Hidalgo took over his deceased elder brother’s position as parish priest in Dolores, currently known as Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato state.
Mural depicting Grito de Dolores, a key moment led by mexican hidalgo in Mexico’s fight for independence.
Hidalgo’s concern extended beyond spiritual duties; he was deeply invested in the economic well-being of his parishioners. He championed agricultural advancements, introducing modern farming techniques to improve their livelihoods. Furthermore, his growing political convictions about the oppression of the Mexican people by Spanish authorities made him a figure of suspicion to the colonial powers.
The year 1808 witnessed a critical juncture in global politics when Spain was invaded by French forces. Napoleon I coerced King Ferdinand VII into abdicating, installing his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish throne. While Spanish officials in Mexico hesitated to oppose the new regime, many Mexicans, including this mexican hidalgo, began forming clandestine societies. Some groups supported Ferdinand, while others, like Hidalgo, advocated for complete independence from Spain. Hidalgo became a member of a pro-independence group in San Miguel, near Dolores.
When their plans were exposed to the Spanish authorities, leading to arrests, Hidalgo chose defiance over escape. On September 16, 1810, he made a momentous decision. He rang the church bell in Dolores, summoning his parishioners to hear a declaration of revolution against the Spanish government. His address, known as the Grito de Dolores (“Cry of Dolores”), was not merely a call to arms but also a powerful demand for racial equality and land redistribution, resonating deeply with the oppressed populace.
Fresco of mexican hidalgo leading the National Independence movement, highlighting his role as a revolutionary figure.
The movement initiated by this mexican hidalgo in San Miguel evolved from a quest for independence into a profound social and economic uprising of the masses against the privileged elite. Joined by thousands of indigenous people and mestizos, Hidalgo marched from Dolores, carrying the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. His forces successfully captured Guanajuato and other significant cities west of Mexico City. Hidalgo even reached the gates of the capital, but he hesitated, a decision that proved costly as his momentum waned and followers began to disperse.
The prospect of social upheaval alarmed both royalists and other segments of Mexican society, leading them to rally in support of suppressing the rebellion. Following a defeat at Calderón Bridge near Guadalajara on January 17, 1811, Hidalgo sought refuge in the north, aiming to reach the United States. However, he was captured, defrocked, and ultimately executed by firing squad as a rebel.
Thumbnail for a video explaining Who was mexican hidalgo, the father of Mexican independence, and his impact on Mexico.
Despite the ultimate failure of his immediate revolutionary efforts, the name of this mexican hidalgo, Miguel Hidalgo, became an enduring symbol of the independence movement for the vast majority of Mexicans. Today, September 16, the anniversary of the Grito de Dolores, is a national holiday, celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day, a testament to the lasting impact of mexican hidalgo and his pivotal role in shaping the nation’s destiny.
