September 16 military parade

The September 16 military parade in honor of the anniversary of Mexican Independence is an annual tradition dating back to the late 19th century and the beginning of the professionalization of the Mexican Armed Forces in the 20th century. Held yearly in the Zócalo in Mexico City, this parade, the largest of the various parades held simultaneously nationwide on September 16, Mexican Independence Day, is presided by the President of Mexico in the fulfillment of his duty as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. It is also attended by members of the Cabinet of Mexico, the Congress of the Union, civil service employees, the Secretaries of National Defense and Navy, members of the Mexican Armed Forces and Federal Police, uniformed service veterans, the state diplomatic corps, delegations representing the religious sector, indigenous peoples, sports and the private sector, and the general public. Seen on TV and the Internet and heard on radio, this is one of the biggest events of the year. Taking part in this are members of the Mexican Armed Forces and the Federal Police.

The Zócalo and the themes of the military parades

The Zócalo, right at the heart of Mexico City, has since the early 20th century the venue of the national Independence Day parades in honor of Mexican Independence Day due to its importance and long history. Its large space also allows the national parade to be more closer to the people.

The theme always of the parade has been the celebration of national independence, but parades in recent years celebrated more important national occasions.

1985's parade, held before the earthquakes that struck Mexico City, marked the centennial diamond jubilee of national independence.

The 1997 parade celebrated the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec and the 175th year of the Heroic Military Academy.

2000's parade edition celebrated the New Millennium and 190 years of Mexican independence.

2009's parade marked the start of a year-long preparation for the Mexican Independence Bicentennial and Revolution Centennial as well as the golden jubilee of the Mexican Air Force Academy. It also focused on the integration of women into the ranks of the armed forces.

2010's parade celebrated the 200th year of Mexican Independence and the first to include historical contingents and the second appearance for foreign contingents. It also marked the first ever September 16 parade appearance of the Mexican Federal Police.

2011's parade honored the Mexican Navy on its 190th year.

2012's parade celebrated the 150th year anniversary of the Battle of Puebla and 165 years of the glorious Battle of Chapultepec as well as the 190th anniversary of the Heroic Military Academy (the very school where the Ninos Heroes of 1847 took their studies).

The 2013 edition of the parade honored the centennial celebrations of the Mexican Army as well as of the 1913 Loyalty March. It was expected to be one of the biggest ever parades held on the Zócalo. Card stunts made their debut on that year's parade.

The 2014 edition was expected to honor the centennial of the historic United States occupation of Veracruz, with the Federal Police Gendarmerie Department expected to make its inaugural appearance. Due to a problem with the flag when it was about to be raised, the Canto a la Bandera was given an encore performance when it was finally raised on the large Zocalo flagpole.

The 2015 parade celebrated the centennial anniversary of the formation of the Mexican Air Force and the diamond jubillee year of the actions of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force during the Second World War.

Summary of the parade proceedings

On the morning of September 16, the military parade participants march to the Zocalo to take their places. Since 2013 a card stunt formation also is part of the parade proper, showing delicate pictures and human graphics. Musical accompaniment is provided by the buglers, (since 2013) cavalry and artillery trumpeters and drummers of the Massed Corps of Drums of the Mexican Army and the massed military bands and combined choirs from both the Secretariats of National Defense and the Navy.

Flag raising and inspection

The parade since 2010 starts with the President of Mexico, the First Lady, the National Defense and Navy Secretaries, commanders of the armed forces and the Federal Police, the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation walking towards the national flagpole in the Zócalo to raise the large Flag of Mexico. It is raised first to the Toque de Bandera by the drummers and buglers of the massed Corps of Drums and later with the massed military bands, together with the choirs of the National Defense and Navy Secretaries performing a rendition of the Canto a la Bandera or Song to the Flag (the Himno Nacional Mexicano was played during the 2013 flag raising). After the flag raising the President and the National Defense and Navy Secretaries ride on a military vehicle to inspect the parade on the Zócalo. When the inspection ends the three disembark as the vehicle arrives at the National Palace. The parade is later ordered by the Principal Bugler of the massed Corps of Drums to order arms and stand at ease.

Arrival honors and double march off

As the President of Mexico walks towards the balcony of the National Palace with the First Lady, the National Defense and Navy secretaries and the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, the massed Corps of Drums' principal bugler sounds a call to attention and the parade is ordered to present arms. As they appear on the balcony the bugle majors and the principal bugler give the signal for Marcha de Honor ("Honors March") to be played. As they play the massed bands play the "Himno Nacional Mexicano" accompanied by a 21-gun salute, and the Flag of Mexico is displayed on the card stunt. When the music ends the parade is ordered by the principal bugler to order arms. It is followed by the Corps of Drums playing a bugle call as the parade is ordered for a double march off the Zócalo proper, preceded by a pre-parade exhortation by the parade commander.

Military exhibition

Following the double march the military exhibition begins with a parachute drop by members of the Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas and the Mexico Naval Infantry Force's airborne battalion on the Zócalo. It is followed by a display of the special forces units of the armed forces and with military vehicles driving on to the square. 2012 included an inaugural mobile bridge building and armor driving demonstration by the Mexico Army engineers and armor personnel.

Parade proper

After the exhibition, the parade commander waits for permission by the President of Mexico for the parade to beguin. The bugle majors and the principal buglers of the Corps of Drums give the signal to start with (paso redoblado) and as both them and the massed military bands play the National Defense March the parade proper begins with the march past the Mexico national flag and its color guard, the standard bearers of the Mexican Armed Forces and the color guards of the Heroic Military Academy, the Heroic Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy, followed by soldiers carrying national flags. They are followed by the National Colors of the units under the Army and Air Force, and by the military contingents themselves and members of the Federal Police, including a mobile column from the services. Parades held in recent years also featured international contingents and historical contingents as well, and even historic National Colors. At the same time a flypast featuring Mexican Air Force and Mexican Naval Aviation aircraft is also held. The parade ends with the much awaited cavalry walk march.

Full order of the military parade marchpast

See also

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