Viva Mexico! 200 years of independence

Party time: Mexican president Felipe Calderon
12 April 2012

Mexico celebrated 200 years of independence from Spain with nationwide street parties.

President Felipe Calderon rang the original independence bell in Mexico City's National Palace. Hundreds of thousands watched a two-mile parade of floats and dancers.

A loudspeaker in Zocalo square announced: "Let's show the world that Mexico is strong and standing", a reference to the war with drug gangs that has cost more than 21,000 lives since 2006.

In cities where drug violence is heaviest, festivities were more subdued. The celebrations were cancelled in Ciudad Juarez for the first time.

But in Mexico City, a $40 million fiesta two years in the making drew people from across the country to the main Reforma Avenue and Zocalo.

"I love being Mexican," said Michel Dosal, wearing a green, white and red Mohawk wig. "The 15th of September is better than Christmas. It's better than my birthday."

"This one is special," added Iris Mari Rodriguez Montiel, who travelled from the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz and waited since morning for the festivities to start. "It gives me chills just to think about it."

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