Cinco de Mayo- Another reason to celebrate!

Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May) celebrates the Mexicans victory over the French army at The Battle of Puebla, in 1862. It is not Mexico's independence day, which actually is September 16th.

The Cinco de Mayo holiday is celebrated in Puebla and throughout the rest of Mexico, as well as in areas of the United States where there is a significant population of Mexicans. The fifth of May is a national holiday in Mexico. It is also celebrated in bars that are far from Mexico and it's people. Companies like Corona offer specials and decorate so that it feels like you are at a Mexican festival. Most of us are happy to go and celebrate Cinco de Mayo, without giving much thought to why the holiday exists.

The Puebla battle came at a tough time in Mexican history since they had been in several wars after gaining their independence from Spain in 1821.The national economy was struggling and Mexico had debts to several nations. The French were there, along with Spanish and English troops, to collect on these debts. The English and Spanish made deals with the Mexican government and left the area but the French had no intention of leaving. The French army was double the size of the Mexican army but they were defeated in that battle. The war was not over, however. Napolean sent more troops and did eventually take control of Mexico City, and the French held their rule from 1864 to 1867.

The Puebla victory also prevented Napolean III from supplying the confederate rebels, and 14 months after Puebla the confederates were beaten at Gettysburg, in the American civil war. American soldiers then went to help the Mexicans defeat the French. Abraham Lincoln would have helped the Mexicans sooner but the civil war prevented it. When it did become possible the US provided the assistance needed to drive the French from Mexico. Perhaps the Cinco de Mayo holiday should be more recognized in the United States, since there was a good deal of involvement in the situation from the U.S.

So when Cinco de Mayo rolls around, why not go and enjoy a chilly cerveza at your local cantina. Dos Equis, Corona, Negra Modelo, Tacate, Sol, they are all fine choices for this celebration. Viva el Cinco de Mayo!