Old article
David Van Edema
"Cinco de Mayo", or as translated from Spanish, "Fifth of May". What's so special about the fifth of May, you ask? Let me give you a brief history lesson.
Way back in 1861, Mexico tried to back out of interest payments on debts that it owed France. Well, that didn't make France very happy, so they decided to collect on their debts and invade Mexico.
Now, believe it or not, France once had the most powerful military in the world. They were actually pretty hard core in those days. You just did not mess with the French army if you knew what was good for you, which is probably why we asked them for their help in the Revolutionary War.
Anyway, back on point. At first, the French didn't have too much trouble with the Mexican army. To put it bluntly, they were wiping the floor with them. However, on May 5th, 1862 ("Cinco de Mayo"... ta-da!), in the city of Puebla, they ran into a Mexican army led by a general named Ignacio Zaragoza SeguÍn. Long story short, General SeguÍn kicked the much larger French army out of Puebla.
Now, here's the part that I bet most of you Cinco de Mayo revelers out there don't know... that battle was the only major victory the Mexicans had over the French. Just a year later, the French had completely taken over Mexico. It was only after the United States persuaded France to leave, which it did by 1867, that Mexico regained its independence (which, by the way, is frequently mistaken to be Cinco de Mayo itself).
Here's the kicker to this holiday; more people in the United States celebrate it than the general populace of Mexico do, with perhaps the exception of Puebla. It's actually a pretty obscure holiday down there, kind of like D-Day is here. In the States, however, it's a different story. You can't go anywhere without seeing references to the holiday in stores and restaurants. I constantly hear promotions for the holiday on the radio at work.
So, why is the holiday so special up here? I can understand Mexican nationals celebrating it to a degree. It is a historical event for them, after all, and I don't expect them to just discard it once they move to the United States, but what's with all the gringos running around with the ridiculously oversized sombreros on their heads and a bottle of beer in their hands, partying to all hours of the night? Do they even understand what the holiday is about? I suspect that Cinco de Mayo is seen in the same light as Mardi Gras. Few people understand the history or purpose of Mardi Gras (and no, I'm not getting into that. Google it for yourself), but just see it as another excuse to party, and maybe smash some windows and overturn a car or two. At least, until the stampede of mounted police come through. Nothing says "the party's over" like a wooden shampoo to the head.
Some have argued that Cinco de Mayo has tran****ed into a holiday that celebrates Latino culture, kind of like St. Patrick's Day celebrates Irish culture. St. Patrick, however, was responsible for converting almost the entire nation of Ireland from Paganism to Catholicism, and America, particularly New England, has a large population of Irish descent and heritage, so I can understand why he would be celebrated so widely here. I just don't get how one single battle could have morphed into a celebration of Latino culture and pride, especially when so many people celebrating have no Latino in them. Besides, I wouldn't exactly call having only one major victory in a war something to be proud of, especially when another country has to bail you out in the end.
Oh well, like I said earlier, I guess it's just another excuse for us gringos out there to party. Happy Cinco de Mayo.
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