Since its inception, the United States has been known as a melting pot of cultures, celebrating different parts of its heritage throughout the years. One such celebration is Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday celebrating the victory of Mexico over France during the mid-1860s.
Frequently misunderstood to be the day celebrating Mexican independence, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by parts of Mexico and the United States, and even by some surrounding countries. Typical Cinco de Mayo traditions involve cultural celebrations like mariachi performances, and parades and street festivals. Though it is not an official federal holiday in Mexico, schools are still closed for the day.
People recognize it as an observance holiday in the United States. In 1858, Mexico was financially ruined. It was just coming out of the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848, and President Benito Juárez had to default on Mexico’s European debts. This was not appreciated by the European governments, who began to send naval troops to the city of Veracruz to force repayment.
Negotiations were made with Britain and Spain, but Napoleon III of France saw a chance to acquire Mexican territory and put his troops on the offense. Late in 1861, Napoleon sent 6,000 troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez to the small town of Puebla de Los Angeles, where Juárez sent General Ignacio Zaragoza with 2,000 of their own men. Though they were not as trained nor as prepared as the French, on May 5, 1862, they fought a day-long battle that ended with a French retreat, after the French had suffered nearly 500 casualties.
Mexico had sustained fewer than 100. Six years after this victory, with the help of the United States, France finally left Mexico. The emperor, Napoleon-installed Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, was caught and killed by Mexican forces. Mexico had finally won.
Surprisingly, the state of Puebla is the major Mexican region that celebrates Cinco de Mayo, though other states do participate. May 5 is not considered a federal holiday, however, and for many people who live there, Cinco de Mayo is not a day out of the ordinary. The United States, however, celebrates the holiday widespread. Though again, it is not a federal holiday, people observe the value of Mexican heritage and culture, with areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco and El Paso – places with heavy Mexican-American influences – celebrating with the most pomp and circumstance.
Countries like Canada and Australia also hold festivals and celebrations for Cinco de Mayo, along with Japan, South Africa and France, to name a few. This May 5, consider joining in on the international fiesta in honoring Mexican-American culture and traditions. Happy Cinco de Mayo!