The second holiday is Cinco de Mayo, on Monday May 5th!! Well, we need to celebrate that! The third holiday is Mother’s Day, and, since not one of us would be here without Mother… we will be celebrating that day on May 11th. And finally, there is Memorial Day on May 30th… the day we recognize those who gave their lives in service to this country. We wouldn’t ever want to miss that one. So, let’s get into May!
Cinco de Mayo
First of all, Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is not Mexico’s Independence Day. What it celebrates is described somewhat by this quote from Wikipedia [LINK]:
“Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Zaragoza died months after the battle from an illness, however, and a larger French force ultimately defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla and then occupied Mexico City. Following the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States began lending money and guns to the Mexican Liberals, pushing France and Mexican Conservatives to the edge of defeat. At the opening of the French chambers in January 1866, Napoleon III announced that he would withdraw French troops from Mexico. In reply to a French request for American neutrality, the American secretary of state William H. Seward replied that French withdrawal from Mexico should be unconditional.”
So, the celebration is of a victory that led to Independence. Turns out that the victory was a significant morale boost for Mexico and a setback for the French. With all of this history, it’s interesting that Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated more within the U.S. than within Mexico!
Apparently, the holiday began being recognized and celebrated in Columbia, California in 1862 and the celebration has been going on in that city every year since then! The holiday began to be popular among people of Mexican-American heritage in the 1980s. Apparently, according to the Wikipedia article, the popularity came due to advertising campaigns by beer, wine, and tequila companies. Quoting from the article, we read:
“Like many other holidays from Saint Patrick’s Day to Christmas, corporations have recognized the money to be made selling supplies, decorations, and alcohol to those looking to celebrate, and Americans of all races and ethnicities now celebrate Cinco de Mayo with their favorite Mexican food, drinks, and music.
“Today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl. In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with various festivals and reenactments of the battle.”
However it is celebrated, we are happy to join in and honor our employees who enjoy Mexican-American heritage.
How We Celebrate
First of all, we go for the food and drink! Cinco de Mayo is a time to enjoy Mexican cuisine, with many restaurants offering special Cinco de Mayo menus featuring traditional dishes like tacos, enchiladas, mole poblano, and guacamole. It’s also a time for people to gather for parties, often with margaritas and other Mexican alcoholic beverages.
Nothing wrong with going for some music or a festival! The Mexican-American culture is colorful, fun, with excellent music and excellent food and drink. Today is the 5th of May, with so many things to enjoy, so please do enjoy… and while doing so, say Thanks to the ones who won the Battle of Puebla!
Before we close, let’s add one more thing about that battle. Turns out it was far from insignificant – in fact it is something to celebrate.
“The Battle of Puebla was significant, both nationally and internationally, for several reasons. First, ‘This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.’ Second, since the overall failed French intervention, some have argued that no country in the Americas has subsequently been invaded by any other military force from Europe. Historian Justo Sierra has suggested in his Political Evolution of the Mexican People that, had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5, 1862, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War and the United States’ destiny could have been different.”
Enjoy the Holiday!!!
