Fresno City College celebrated Mexico’s Independence with a Mexican-style festival during a scheduled club rush at the Free Speech Area on Sept.16.

Sept.16 marks the anniversary of the Mexican victory over Spain.

“A lot of times students mistake ‘Cinco de Mayo [May 5 celebrations] with [Mexican] Independence Day,” Rubi Garcia, Chicano Latino studies instructor said.

Garcia said that although both dates are often mistaken for one another, both are important to the Mexican community.

The original independence celebration started in 1810 in the village of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico.  

Maile Martin, assistant at the College Center, said the cultural celebration is an annual event at FCC. Martin said it is important to celebrate the occasion especially in a college setting.

“It’s very important for our student population to be aware of other cultures and their food, tradition and the fun,” Martin said.

The date falls just after the first day of a month-long recognition of Hispanic heritage.

The FCC Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan Club, also known as MECHA, set up a food booth that provided Mexican-style food to students looking to taste authentic ethnic food such as tacos de carne asada and quesadillas all made with homemade tortillas.

Jose Torres prepared handmade tortillas in front of students. Along with other club members,Torres wanted to give students a chance to see different ways of making food for such celebrations.

“Everything is handmade, this is how we do it in Mexico.This is part of the tradition,” Torres said.

It’s the first time the club has done anything like that.

Francisco Torres, engineering major, said he enjoyed the genuine taste of the handmade food.

“It was nice tasting the homemade tortillas which is part of the Mexican culture,” Torres said.

The celebratory atmosphere was set up by red, white and green colored balloons arched over mariachi band Mariachi De La Sierra. Students slowly began moving to the sound of guitars and trumpets.

FCC students lined up to give their best rendition of the famous cry “El Grito”(The Cry), one of the most meaningful parts of the Mexican Independence Day celebrations. “El Grito” symbolizes the freedom that was gained.

Historically, the first ever scream was done by Miguel Hidalgo, a priest who led the Mexican War of Independence, during the first independence celebration.

The words of “El Grito” recall the brave heroes of the Mexican revolution.

This year, Mexican President, Enrique Pena Nieto shouted the famous words from the Mexican palace in the country’s capital, Mexico City: Viva Mexico!, Viva Mexico!, Viva Mexico!