Mexican Independence Day Colouring Page.pdf - Town of ...

Collingwood's Sister City celebrates
200 Years of Mexican Independence
In 2005, Collingwood officially became a
sister city of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Zihuatanejo is in the state of Guerrero on
the Pacific coast of Mexico. For many
years, Zihautanejo was a sleepy fishing
village built on a natural bay that protected
it from big storms on the ocean. Now,
many tourists come to Zihuatanejo from
all over the world to visits its
resorts and beaches.
(17°38′40″N
101°33′04″W)
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On Sept 16th, Zihuatanejo joins the rest of Mexico in a huge party to celebrate the two hundredth
Anniversary of Mexican Independence from Spain. The party actually starts the night before on
Sept. 15th with townsfolk all over Mexico gathering in their main square for “El Grito”. “El Grito”
means “the Call”. During “El Grito”, the mayors of every town repeat a famous speech given by
revolutionary Father Hidalgo calling on all Mexicans to join the uprising. Shouts of “Viva Mexico!”
and “Viva la Independencia!” are heard late into the night and all the next day. Independence Day in
Mexico is time of great national pride. Mexican flags are on display everywhere you go.
The Sister City committee of Collingwood/Zihuatanejo would like to thank you for helping us
celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence. We are hoping this is just the first of
many opportunities you will have to get to know your sister city. We hope you are interested in
making Mexican friends from your sister city by joining an educational exchange. If your class is
interested in being paired with a class from Zihuatanejo, please let your teacher know.
Viva, Mexico! Viva La Independencia! Viva Zihuatanejo!