Hitting Send

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Happy 5th of May! So why are we sipping margaritas again? It’s Mexican Independence Day, right? A common misconception, to be sure. But, Mexico declared its intentions to be free from mother Spain on Sept 16, 1810, just over fifty years prior to the Battle of Puebla, which is the real reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Mexico finally gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a difficult and bloody struggle. They went through a number of political takeovers and wars, including the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the Mexican Civil War of 1858, which ruined the national economy. During this period of struggle, Mexico had accumulated heavy debts to several nations, including Spain, England and France. On July 17, 1861 Mexican President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debts would be suspended for two years. Well, this did not go over so well, and Spain, England and France all sent troops into Mexico to collect the money they were owed. After negotiating settlement of debts, the Spanish and English withdrew. But Napolean III, ruler of France, hoped to build an empire in Mexico, and thus gain a foothold in the Americas, and ordered his troops to attack.

France invaded at the gulf coast of Mexico along the state of Veracruz and began marching toward Mexico City. American President Abraham Lincoln, while sympathetic to the cause, was involved in the Civil War at the time, and was therefore unable to assist. The well outfitted French army, who had not lost a battle in fifty years, encountered strong resistance near Puebla (which is about 100 miles outside Mexico City). Led by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza, a smaller militia of Mexicans were able to stop the invasion of their country.The victory was a glorious moment of accomplishment for Mexican patriots, which at the time helped to develop a much needed sense of national unity, and is the cause for the historical date’s celebration.

Unfortunately, the victory was short lived. Upon hearing the bad news, Napolean III sent more troops overseas to invade Mexico again. 30,000 more troops and a full two years later, the French won the war and Archduke Maximilian of Austria was made ruler of Mexico. His rule was short lived, from 1864-1867. With the American Civil War over, the US assisted in expelling the French. But, despite the eventual French invasion of Mexico City, Cinco de Mayo honours the bravery and victory of General Zaragoza’s smaller, outnumbered militia at the Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla).

The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. It is celebrated on a much larger scale in the United States than it is in Mexico. Commercial interests within the US have capitalized on the celebration by advertising Mexican products, with an emphasis on beverages (commercially coined ‘Drinko de Mayo’). The American border towns, and parts of the country with a high population of Mexican heritage honour this holiday with parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing, and traditions foods. A beautiful culture of gorgeous people shall be in my thoughts as I celebrate and honour this holiday today. Feliz Cinco de Mayo all!