Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day- Mexicans

 

I find it so ironic how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by many people in the United States when #1 mostly everybody thinks it’s Mexico’s Independence Day and #2 most of the people celebrating it are people who want to deport immigrants.

But this post isn’t to attack people in any way, instead it’s to educate everyone on the truth behind the holiday that gives everyone another reason to drink. Yes, Cinco de Mayo is more than just eating tacos and getting wasted off of margaritas.

Here are some facts about May 5th:

  • In 1862, Emperor Napoleon the Third, ordered his French Army to invade Mexico City to replace all of the French land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase. (Yes, he was pissed af & wanted to take it out on the Mexicans.)
  • But his 1st plan wasn’t successful because (cue in a young Mexican general) Ignacio Zaragoza and his troops defeated the French Army in Puebla, MX.
    • More history: Even though the French Army lost this battle they won a second one eventually leading to Napoleon getting his second Mexican Empire. But a couple years later with the help of their neighbors (US), Mexico kicked the French out for good.
  • Cinco de Mayo was celebrated as a Mexican Military Victory. At the time, this victory was really important because it gave Mexicans a moral boost which inspired Mexican pride and Unity. (Viva Mexico)
  • Although in Mexico it isn’t a major holiday, students get the day off from school. Some towns have parades and civic events but celebrations are small.
  • The city of Puebla (where the battle took place) has the biggest celebration of this holiday which includes a huge parade, firework show, and a reenactment of the battle.
  • The first Cinco de Mayo celebration in the US was in California in 1863. It was celebrated as a day to honor the brave Mexicans who fought against the French.
  • Later in the 1960’s, Chicano activists celebrated this holiday to raise awareness of their culture.
  • Now, present day Cinco de Mayo is considered more of a Mexican American holiday than a Mexican holiday.

If you learned anything about this post, please let it be this….Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence day (Sept. 16)! Cinco de Mayo is now a tradition in the US that celebrates Mexican culture and heritage. And whether you like it or not….it definitely gives everyone a reason to drink no matter what day it falls on.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo,

Lidia

 

 

P.S. Ironically, this year’s Cinco de Mayo is on Taco Tuesday but even more ironic is that we’re still in quarantine! Oh how ironic life can be sometimes!