Cinco de Mayo
What really is Cinco de Mayo, other than an opportunity to get together with good friends and drink lots of good margaritas? Well, Cinco de Mayo, or “the Fifth of May” as directly translated from the Spanish, is a small, regional holiday in Mexico to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French in a battle which occurred around the time of our U.S. Civil War, specifically, on May 5, 1862. It is *not*, as some people think, “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which actually is on September 16 (el dieciséis de septiembre, in Spanish).
Why were the Mexicans battling the French? In 1861, the French, led by Napoleon III, decided to try to take over Mexico. The French were angered by Mexican President Benito Juarez’ announcement on May 17, 1861, that he would be suspending all interest payments on foreign debts, and they decided to take advantage of the fact that the U.S. was distracted by the Civil War, and they invaded Mexico on December 8, 1861. Initially, the British and the Spanish supported France, and also participated in the invasion, but they withdrew on April 9, 1862, after they realized the French wanted to and take over all of Mexico, instead of just pressuring her to pay back her debts.
The French were initially successful, but, on May 5, 1862, the French suffered their first stunning defeat at the hands of the Mexicans, in the Battle of Puebla, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The outnumbered and beleaguered Mexicans were so pleased by their success, that el cinco de mayo has been celebrated in some parts of Mexico and represents a day of national pride.
However, el cinco de mayo has mostly taken off in the United States, where it was co-opted by Mexican immigrants as their own personal answer to “St. Patrick’s Day,” “Oktoberfest,” or “Chinese New Year.” Particularly in California, the day is usually celebrated with lots of special events and celebrations highlighting Mexican culture, especially in its music and dancing, food and drink. So, when you’re downing your margaritas tonight, if someone asks you, “What the *&%^ really is Cinco de Mayo!?!?” you can tell them, in between shots of tequila, “I’m lifting my glass to the Mexicans at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862!”
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