The United States is preparing for Cinco de Mayo. Music, all-day happy hours and deals on tacos are planned at locations across the country. Today we will discuss about Cinco de Mayo: Celebrations in the Gaslamp.
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrations in the Gaslamp
Every year on May 5, Americans across the country celebrate Cinco de Mayo – a holiday that is often confused with Mexican Independence Day.
Mexicans actually celebrate their independence on September 16, and Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in Mexico.
So what is Cinco de Mayo, and how is it celebrated in the U.S.? Why is it celebrated in?
Cinco de Mayo History
Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May” in English, is a holiday intended to celebrate the Mexican Army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the country’s war with France.
According to History.com, in 1861, newly elected Mexican President Benito Juárez was forced to default on debt payments to Europe because the country was in “financial ruin.” In response to Mexico’s default, military forces from France, Britain, and Spain were sent to Veracruz, Mexico to demand payment.
British and Spanish forces reportedly negotiated with Mexico and withdrew its people from the country. But France did not follow this.
Instead, Napoleon III, who was leading France at the time, decided to try to create an empire out of Mexican territory. French military members invaded Veracruz in late 1861, forcing Juárez to retreat. The fighting moved to the Mexican city of Puebla, where the tide turned for the Mexican army.
On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces – which greatly outnumbered the French forces – won an unexpected victory at the Battle of Puebla. Mexico lost less than 100 men out of 2,000 in the battle, while France lost about 500 out of 6,000.
Experts say that the Battle of Puebla in the Franco-Mexican War was not a major strategic victory for Mexico, but the unexpected victory served as a symbolic victory for the Mexican government.
France did not withdraw from Mexico until 1867.
Do Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in the country of Mexico. The victory at the Battle of Puebla celebrated primarily in the city of Puebla.
Celebrations in the Gaslamp
Cinco de Mayo is one of the most recognized Mexican holidays in the United States. This is when people discover half-price margaritas and enjoy Mexican food.
But Cinco de Mayo — which translates to “fifth of May” in Spanish — isn’t really about burritos and beer. And while it is celebrated in Mexico, it is not as deeply ingrained in the national culture as it is in the United States.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla, where the historic Battle of Puebla took place. It celebrates the Mexican victory over the French Empire on May 5, 1862. However, it is often misinterpreted as Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16.
Despite its importance in Mexican history, Cinco de Mayo holds more significance in the United States, but why? Here’s everything you need to know about Cinco de Mayo.
Mexican Independence Day, or Día de la Independência, occurred on September 16, 1810, when the country became free from Spanish rule.
Cinco de Mayo came more than 50 years after French Emperor Napoleon III sought to claim Mexico.
The French sent troops to drive Mexican President Benito Juárez and the government out of Veracruz. On May 5, 1862, in a small town called Puebla in east-central Mexico, 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced 6,000 French troops at daybreak. Incredibly, Mexico claimed victory by the evening and Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.
The battle also played a role in the American Civil War. With the French defeated and leaving North America, the Union was not able to use them as an ally to win the war.
The victory at the Battle of Puebla was a significant morale boost for the Mexicans. The French army, one of the most powerful armies in the world at the time, was trying to gain a foothold in Mexico. According to History.com, Zaragoza and his troops captured General Charles de Lore.
