A member of the Mexican National Guard participates in the military parade for Mexico's Independence Day at the Zocalo Square in Mexico City, Mexico, on Sept. 16, 2022. Mexico on Friday celebrated the 212nd anniversary of its struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule with a call for world peace and several commemorative activities. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Mexico on Friday celebrated the 212th anniversary of its struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule with a call for world peace and several commemorative activities.

Mexicans gathered around the capital city's main square, Plaza de la Constitucion, to watch a military parade and aerial show commemorating the start of the 1810 independence movement.

Participating in the parade were 7,380 National Guard troops, 2,108 Army troops and 1,057 Navy personnel, as well as 111 aircraft from the three branches of the Armed Forces.

The guests of honor at Mexico's celebrations were the former presidents of Uruguay and Bolivia, Jose Mujica and Evo Morales, respectively.

On the eve of the Independence Day, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gave the traditional Grito de Independencia, or Cry of Independence, from the balcony of the National Palace.

With more than 100,000 people gathered at the main square, the president led 20 cheers, including a call for the "death of corruption, classism and racism."

It was a special evening for Mexicans after two years of muted celebrations due to COVID-19. Celebrations included performances by the popular musical group Los Tigres del Norte and fireworks.