Did You Know? — “Cinco de mayo” is not Mexico’s Independence Day!
It is the actually the “celebration” of Mexican victory against France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 — 50 years after Mexico gained its independence from Spain on September 16, 1810.
In India, this holiday is gaining much visibility with ‘cinco de mayo’ themed-parties taking place. In the U.S., the day is celebrated with parades, parties, mariachi music, folk dancing, Mexican food and of course, margaritas!
But do you know the history behind this day?
In a War we Lost
In 1861, Benito Juárez — a lawyer and member of the indigenous Zapotec tribe — was elected president of Mexico. At the time, the country was in financial decline after years of internal strife, and the new president was forced to announce that Mexico was unable to pay its debt to European governments for a period of two years. This encouraged France to invade Mexico, and make it a French territory.
Heading on from Veracruz towards Mexico City, the large French army encountered heavy resistance from the Mexicans close to Puebla, at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. The French army of about 8,000 approached the town of Puebla on May 5, 1862, but a poorly equipped Mexican army of about 4,000 somehow managed to defeat them, despite being outnumbered 2 to 1.
The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.
This unlikely victory became a symbol of hope and resistance.
Though it ultimately failed to hold the French advance on Mexico City, the victory in Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance against French imperialism and helped establish a sense of national unity and patriotism.
Americans of Mexican heritage were also inspired by this Mexican victory, in the midst of their own civil war, and began celebrating the 5th of May with dances, parades, speeches and fiestas.
This Mexican victory, however, was short-lived. A year later, the French returned with a stronger army of 30,000 troops, and defeated the Mexican army, captured Mexico City, and installed Emperor Maximilian I as the ruler of Mexico.
But Then We Won — With US support
In 1867 , France finally withdrew— thanks partly to the military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to assist Mexico after the end of the Civil War.
Not to be confused with Mexico’s Independence Day
Mexico’s Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) is commemorated on September 16, the anniversary of the revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s famous “Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”), a call to arms that resulted in a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.
And We Don’t Really “Celebrate” It — In Fact People in Mexico Are Working Right Now (Except in Puebla)
Traditionally the commemoration of the Batalla de Puebla is marked with military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events.
For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.
However, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.
And we can still have fun celebrating Mexican culture on this day, around the world.
