Cinco De Mayo History

Cinco de Mayo is an important date and historical celebration for Mexican, Chicano, and Mexican American communities. It commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French in the battle of Puebla. The battle took place near Puebla, a city in Mexico on May 5, 1862 and this victory is celebrated every year.

History

The history of Cinco de Mayo has its root in the French occupation in Mexico. The French occupation happened as a consequence of the Mexican-American war during 1846-48. Because of this war, national crisis occurred in Mexico during the 1850’s. Years of fighting and Civil War made Mexico bankrupt and more devastated. President Benito Juarez brought out a moratorium on July 17, 1861 in which the foreign debt payment would be set aside for a period of two years, with the promise that after this time period, debt payments would resume.

But the French, Spanish, and English never allowed President Juarez to pass this, and decided to invade Mexico to get back the payments. The English and Spanish came to an agreement with Mexico and withdrew from the battle, but the French refused to leave the battle. The real intention of French army advancement was to form an empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some also argue that the true French advancement was a reaction to the Monroe Doctrine and to put a check over developing American power.

In 1862, under General Charles Ferdinand Latrille de Lorencez with about 6500 French soldiers advanced into Mexico. But the ill equipped Mexican army of about 4500 under Commander Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the well equipped French army. The battle lasted only from sunrise to sunset. The Mexican victory represents patriotism and Mexican unity and it also represents the glorious moment of the Mexican patriots.

From the French side there were 462 dead and 300 soldiers were wounded. On the Mexican side, 83 soldiers were dead and 131 soldiers were wounded.

Unfortunately, the Mexican victory was short lived. Napoleon III sent 30,000 more soldiers to fight Mexico and eventually after a year, the French were able to dispose the Mexican army and make Maximilian as the Mexican ruler. Because of U.S. pressure, the French finally withdrew from Mexico in 1866-67 and Maximilian was executed.

Celebration

The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is considered as the regional holiday in Mexico and it is vigorously celebrated in the city of Puebla. There are some limitations throughout the country with various levels of enthusiasm.

Along the U.S.-Mexican border, Cinco de Mayo celebration has become very popular and elaborately celebrated in the area that has high Mexican populations. This is taken as an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic culture with Mexican dancing, music, fireworks, feasting, costumes, parades, entertainment, and sport activities.

People celebrate this event to mark the friendship of Mexico and United States and it represents the right of liberty, and honoring all people who fought in the battle.

Normally many people wrongly equate Cinco de Mayo celebrations with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16 ^th that represents freedom from Colonial Spain. Over the period, the celebrations have become more commercialized and it is considered as a time for dance and having fun.