Who came up with the idea that 5 de Mayo was celebrated by
Latinos everywhere, as the Lonely Planet home proudly
states?
I am from Colombia and never heard of 5 de Mayo until I
came to the US...I understand it isn't even a big deal in
Mexico ( compared to september 16th) Is that Right?
And to LP webmaster RESEARCH!!! Not all latinos eat tacos
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It's not such a big deal here, it isn't a mandatory day off
like sept. 16, but what can you expect from gringos?
It's not such a big deal here, it isn't a mandatory day off
like sept. 16, but what can you expect from gringos?
Also some people think that 5 de Mayo is the Mexican
independence day. On the other hand, September 16 is not
"mandatory" throughout all of Latin America either.
September 16 (of the year 1810) is the Grito de Dolores in
Mexico, while many others countries like Guatemala, for
example, celebrate September 15 (of the year 1821) when the
second and final drive for independence was achieved. Now,
Colombia achieved its independence before 1810, and
celebrates it on a different day.
May 5 is when the Mexicans drove out the French.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates a battle fought outside Puebla in
1862. In the pretext that Mexico owed it money France invaded
Mexico with the intent of installing a puppet emperor.
Originally the French tried to get other European countries
that were owed money by Mexico to go along. Realizing that
they would be furthering French colonialism, rather than
their own they refused. The French army, superbly equipped
and trained, was met by a smaller army of mainly poorly armed
Mexican peasants. The French were defeated and forced to
retreat to the coast. Later they did return with
reinforcements and captured Mexico City. Benito Juaraz fled
the capital and continued the resistence for several years.
The Emperor Maximillan of the Hapsburg family and his wife
Carlota was installed. Following the end of the US Civil War
the US government put pressure on the French to with draw.
Faced with increasing loses from the resistance the French
army was withdrawn. Maximillan was captured by Mexican forces
and executed by firing squad. Carlota fled to Europe pleading
for forces to restore the monarchy. She lived to a ripe old
age totally mad. Couple of legacies...the bollio (sp) that
great bread roll found in Mexico was introduced by the
French. In Mexico City, Revolucion, the magnificant boulevard
was built by Maximillan. He did it so Carlota could watch his
carriage as it went from the palace on Chapultepec hill to
the Zocalo where government offices were. She wanted to be
sure that he wasn't stopping for a quickie with a mistress.
Actually, he did have one-just a different way of meeting
her.
It is the 3rd most celebrated holiday in Mexico. Much bigger
celebration in the US. Especially in heavily Hispanic areas.
Many Chicanos have taken it on as a way of celebrating their
roots.
Most important of all is that any holiday which revolves
around the consumption of carne asada and Corona beer is
deserving of all our participation.
In the battle of Puebla, on May 5, General Iturbide's
Mexican army lost the battle (although they later chased
the French out). Mexicans find it amusing that the
hispanics of Mexican descent in the US celebrate this date.
In Mexico the government offices are open for business as
usual on 5 May.
It was General Ignacio Zaragoza who commanded the mexican
army, and he won the battle on may 5th but not the war,in
the US "cinco de mayo" is just another excuse to go out and
have a party.
How right you all are!! I now live in Chiapas and have been
amazed at the lack of interest in this holiday. In Houston
it is a major holiday, with parades and I am sure a "MIss
cinco de Mayo". All the schools and businesses in Houston
celebrate with decorations, costumes, closings. I admit I
miss the fuss and frivolity my family always enjoyed when
we lived in Texas. One more excuse to party!!!
To put it in perspective, St. Patrick's Day is far
different in New York or Boston than in Dublin. If you
really want to celebrate the holiday, do it in L.A. or
Houston. bob