Everything about Cinco De Mayo totally explained
Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "5th of May") is a regional holiday in
Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of
Puebla. It isn't an obligatory federal holiday. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General
Ignacio Zaragoza over
French forces in the
Battle of Puebla on
May 5,
1862. The date is observed in the
United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is
Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually
September 16 (
dieciséis de septiembre in
Spanish), which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.
History
In 1861, Mexico had stopped making interest payments on loans that it had received earlier, and, in response, in late 1861, France (and other European countries) attacked Mexico to try to force payment of this debt. France decided that it would try to
take over and occupy Mexico. France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In this Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on
Mexico City; a year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed
Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico. The French were eventually defeated and expelled in 1867. Maximilian was executed by President
Benito Juarez, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
History of observance
According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. The 2007 paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico." For the most part the celebrations combine food, music and dancing.
In
Mexico City like the rest of the Mexican capitals all the young men who serve the military services pledge allegiance to the Mexican national flag and the institutions that it represents.
United States
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of
Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as
St. Patrick's Day,
Oktoberfest, and the
Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of
Irish,
German, and
Chinese ancestry respectively. Similar to those holidays, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the
Virgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, including
César Chávez. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while
school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include
ballet folklórico and
mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del
Pueblo de Los Angeles, near
Olvera Street. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages, foods, and music.
Elsewhere
Events tied to Cinco de Mayo are also occurring outside Mexico and the United States. For example, a sky-diving club near
Vancouver in
Canada holds a Cinco de Mayo skydiving event. In the
Cayman Islands, in the
Caribbean, there's an annual Cinco de Mayo
air guitar competition. As far away as the island of
Malta, in the
Mediterranean, revelers are encouraged to drink Mexican beer on May 5th.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Cinco De Mayo'.
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