Mexico gained its independence from Spain on August 24, 1821, with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, which formally recognized Mexico as an independent country. The fight for independence began earlier, on September 16, 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called for the end of Spanish rule, marking the start of the Mexican War of Independence. Today, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated annually on September 16th, commemorating the start of this struggle for independence rather than the official signing date in 1821.