You can bet the French won’t be celebrating Cinco de Mayo this Saturday – and no, it’s not because they’d rather be sipping a good Bordeaux rather than an ice cold margarita. While that could be part of the issue, the main reason is that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s defeat over the French in the Battle of Puebla. While many people confuse the 5th with Mexican Independence Day (which occurred September 16, 1810), it is similar in that it symbolizes Mexican patriotism and unity, and that Mexico would put up a tough fight against invasion by any foreign power determined to conquer and rule.
In short, during the 1850s (after the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, and years of civil war), Mexico found itself ravaged both physically and economically. The country was bankrupt, prodding President Benito Juarez to issue a moratorium on the repayment of all of Mexico’s debts to the English, Spanish, and the French. The moratorium was to last a period of two years, after which the repayment plan would begin anew.
Displeased to say the least, the English, Spanish, and French launched their own attacks on Mexico in an effort to reclaim as much of the debt as possible. While the English and Spanish soon packed up and returned to Europe, the French stayed, intending to create an empire under the rule of Napoleon III. Napoleon’s army (and their highly advanced equipment) began its advance in 1862, but was defeated by General Ignacio Zaragoza’s army of 5000 skilled Mestizo and Zapotec Indians on May 5.
Celebrated more in the Mexican state of Puebla and the United States than in the rest of Mexico, the day is a festive occasion to live it up, be we Mexican, American, or both.
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