President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered her first Independence Cry before more than 150,000 people in Mexico City’s Zócalo, becoming the first woman to lead the centuries-old ceremony.

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At 11:00 p.m. local time, Sheinbaum stepped out onto the central balcony of the National Palace with the Mexican flag to deliver the traditional “Cry” commemorating the 215th anniversary of the start of Mexico’s War of Independence.

“Long live Independence!” the president began, followed by the traditional shouts of “Long live!” to the heroes and heroines, starting with Miguel Hidalgo, Father of the Fatherland.

Right afterwards, she mentioned Josefa Ortiz Téllez Quirón—historically known as Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez—restoring her own name rather than the one linking her to her husband, and then proceeded to name heroes and heroines alternately.

Sheinbaum shouted “Long live!” to anonymous heroines, Indigenous women, and “migrant sisters and brothers,” continuing with cheers for the dignity of the Mexican people, freedom, equality, democracy, justice, and sovereignty.

Before reaching the balcony, Sheinbaum carried out the traditional walk through the National Palace, her official residence, where cadets from the Military College handed her the Mexican flag she waved. For the first time in history, the honor guard was composed entirely of female cadets.

She closed with three energetic “Long live Mexico!” before raising the Mexican flag and ringing the Dolores bell, which, according to tradition, Miguel Hidalgo rang in 1810 to call for the start of the Independence movement.

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