Each year on the eve of September 16, when the President of the Republic of Mexico has rung the church bell that once hung in the belfry at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in the small town of Dolores Hidalgo, he has once more proclaimed Independence Day. When Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang that same bell on September 16, 1810, he rang it to call his people to arms. The call became known as "El Grito de Dolores." A handful of Creoles (Spaniards born in Mexico) and thousands of enraged Indians kindled the flame of liberty much as the American forefathers did in their attempt to overthrow the yoke of tyranny. Although the Mexican struggle culminated in the execution of the revolutionaries, actual independence was achieved after eleven more years. The story of that struggle is retold in this booklet so that students of all cultural backgrounds may share a common experience and come to understand that Mexico's struggle for independence is not unlike that of the United States and many other nations. The story and the curriculum planning suggestions, which include an annotated list of audiovisual materials, should enable schools to prepare appropriate activities and develop programs for highlighting the contribution of Mexican Americans to our society and for celebrating September 16. Rules for Spanish name drivation and for pronunciation are appended. (AN)