WATCH: Claudia Sheinbaum Dedicates El Grito to Women and Migrants in a Moment That Shook the Zócalo

When the clock hit 11 p.m. in Mexico City, the Zócalo roared. Claudia Sheinbaum stepped onto the National Palace balcony and made history as the first woman to lead El Grito de Independencia. She dedicated the moment to heroines, Indigenous women, and migrants, and the plaza answered with a sea of “¡Vivas!”.

Claudia Sheinbaum leads a historic Grito for the first time

Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman president to deliver the Independence Cry from the central balcony, marking the 215th anniversary of the historic call launched by Miguel Hidalgo in 1810. The president’s presence over a packed Plaza de la Constitución and her emphasis on naming heroines, including the maiden name of Josefa Ortiz, was a moment for the history books.

The balcony moment and the words that defined the night

Sheinbaum delivered the arenga in full protocol, received the flag, and rang the bell used by Hidalgo. His proclamation celebrated women both known and unknown in history, and rewrote one of the most important symbols for Mexicans.

Claudia Sheinbaum centers Indigenous women and migrants

This time, Sheinbaum elevated women across history and named the “heroínas anónimas” in her call. She included “las mujeres indígenas” and “las hermanas y hermanos migrantes.” The president alternated heroes and heroines, and framed the declarations around dignity, liberty, equality, democracy, justice, and sovereignty.

A female military escort and a handmade presidential sash

For the first time, a military escort composed only of women from the Heroico Colegio Militar presented the flag to the president. For her part, Claudia Sheinbaum wore a presidential sash handcrafted by women in the Defense Ministry’s factories, a piece that required ten days of work and detailed hand embroidery. Similarly, the president wore a purple dress, a color associated with the feminist movement.

Crowds filled the Zócalo, even amid cancellations elsewhere

An estimated crowd of about 280,000 reunited in the Zócalo. Almost 140,000 attendees chanted, “Esta presidenta sí me representa.” Outlets detailed a festive, family atmosphere with music from Legado de Grandeza, Alejandra Ávalos, and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón, before fireworks lit the night. However, concerns about violence led Sinaloa and several municipalities in Michoacán to cancel large celebrations.

Claudia Sheinbaum and the tradition behind El Grito

Sheinbaum followed tradition with a guard of honor and the ringing of the Dolores bell. She honored Leona Vicario with a guard of honor, and, for the first time, a woman presided over the ceremony as President and Commander-in-Chief. Historians cited by El Economista via AFP said her appearance “opens a space that was tacitly barred for women” and signals a society where gender should not matter at the highest levels of political power.