From the Annals of Mexico –   In 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo and several hundred of his parishioners made El Grito or the call for independence from Spain at Dolores Hildago, GTO, Mexico. This was the beginning of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain.

If you haven’t seen the ceremony from the Zocalo in Mexico City that commemorates the event, watch tonight one of the Spanish language stations tonight.  It is an impressive celebration.  The President reads El Grito from the National Palace to the million or so people packed into the Zocalo and then the fun begins.

Okay, so how is this a day in Texas history?  Without Mexican independence, Texas does not become open to settlement from the U.S. and who knows how things would have played out if Spain remained in control for another 20 or 30 years.