Mexico's Bicentennial 2010

Mexico commemorated the 200th anniversary of the beginning of its War of Independence. In September of 1810, a Mexican priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla uttered a call to arms against the Spanish, later known as the Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores"). Soon after began a series of battles with the Spanish that would build into a war that lasted over a decade, eventually resulting in independence. This bicentennial year, tens of thousands of Mexicans thronged the streets of Mexico City to celebrate. The celebrations took place under a somewhat subdued light though, amid the violence of a brutal nationwide drug war and vocal criticism of government spending on the lavish ceremonies. Collected here are photos of this week's celebration of 200 years of Mexican independence.

Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, from Mexico, speaks to the press as she arrives at Benito Juarez International Airport to be an honored guest at Mexico's Bicentennial celebrations, on Monday Sept. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)