On September 15, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla made a monumentous decision that revolutionized the course of Mexican history. Hidalgo, a Catholic priest in the village of Dolores, ordered the arrest of Dolores’ native Spaniards. Then Hidalgo rang the church bell as he customarily did to call the Indians to mass. Hidalgo called the Indians and mestizos to retaliate against the hated gachopines, or native Spaniards, who had exploited and oppressed Mexicans for ten generations.

Every year UMOS host a parade in honor of this event. The parade begin at 20th & Oklahoma, then east to Oklahoma on 6th Street, north on 6th to Rosedale, and ends at Chase Ave.

The Mexican Independence Festival featured Mexican music, clowns, carnival rides, piñatas, games, face painting, community resources exhibit, information booths, crafts, food, merchandise.