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Miguel Hidalgo and El Grito de Dolores led to Mexican Independence
Every country has a founder and hero who defines his people. For Mexico, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla provides that metaphor that so represents the agony of birth of that new country on the American continent.
Miguel Hidalgo was born of Criollo stock on a hacienda in Guanajuato in 1753. He received his bachelor's degree from what is today the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1774.
Hidalgo immediately began to prepare for the priesthood and was eventually ordained in 1778.
However, even before the turn the century, he was being investigated for not being faithful to the Church and eventually was hauled in to a hearing by the Holy Office of the Inquisition in 1800. Although nothing could be proven, his file was carefully maintained.
In 1803 Father Hidalgo accepted a curacy in the little town of Dolores, Guanajuato. There he dedicated much time developing schools to train his Indian flock in the forgotten industries of their pre-Columbian fore-fathers.
Miguel Hidalgo also began to have secret meetings...