On November 12th, 1853, a literary contest was held to select the lyrics of the National Anthem. On February 3rd, 1854, the Official Journal of the Federation published the name of the winner: Francisco González Bocanegra, from San Luis Potosí.

This same day, another competition was staged to set music to the lyrics of the National Anthem. The commission formed to select the music from a total of 15 compositions. On August 12th, 1854, the composition God and Freedom, by Jaime Nunó, was declared the winner.

The National Anthem of the United Mexican States was heard in public for the first time on September 16th 1854, during the fiestas Patrias, Independence day festivities. It was officially adopted, after various modifications, in 1943.

Mexicans, at the cry of war
lend your swords and bridle;
and let the earth’s deep foundation tremble at its center
upon the roar of the cannon.
Your forehead shall be crowned, oh motherland, with olive garlands
by the divine archangel of peace,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
has been written by the hand of God.
should ever a foreign enemy dare to
with insolent foot profane thy ground,
Know, dear Country, that heaven
has given you a soldier in every son.

War, war without truce against who would attempt
to tarnish the country’s coat of arms!
War, war!Let the national banners be
soaked in waves of blood.
War, war! On the mountains, in the valley
The terrifying cannon thunder
and the echoes nobly resound
to the cries of union! liberty!

Motherland, before your children become unarmed
Beneath the yoke their necks in sway,
May your countryside be watered with blood,
On blood their feet trample.
And if your temples, palaces and towers
crumble in horrid crash,
may their ruins live on to say:
Of a thousand heroes this Motherland was.

Motherland, Motherland, your children swear
to exhale their last breath in your cause,
The bugle in its warlike tone
should call upon them to battle with courage.
For you the olive garlands!
For them a memory of glory!
For you a laurel of victory!
For them a tomb of honor!