Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory of a battle with France in Puebla, Mexico. It was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza on May 5,1862.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory of a battle with France in Puebla, Mexico. It was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza on May 5,1862.
Marcella Lopez
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Names: Cinco de Mayo, Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory of a battle with France in Puebla, Mexico. It was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza on May 5, 1862.
Origin
In 1861, France, ruled by Napoleon III, began a campaign to conquer Mexico and establish an empire in Mexican territory.
At the Battle of Puebla, Mexican forces held the city of Puebla against France and around 1,000 French troops were killed. While the Mexican army was not fully successful in the resistance to French occupation, this battle represented a symbolic victory of resistance for the Mexican government. In the end, France occupied Puebla until 1867, when Mexican forces, under Porfirio Díaz, took the city back.
A common misconception of Cinco de Mayo is that it is a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. However, Mexican Independence Day occurs on September 16 and the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla occurs on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo).
Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in 1863 in California. Cinco de Mayo was celebrated by “juntas patrioticas mejicana” (Mexican patriotic assemblies) in California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. Celebrations of Cinco de Mayo back then were focused on the fight for democracy and freedom. In later years, it became a festival for Mexicans and the Mexican American community.
There is some history behind the popularity of Americans drinking alcohol on Cinco de Mayo. In 1966, Hispanic activists across the United States began to boycott Coors Brewing for their union-busting practices and discrimination against Hispanic workers. Joseph Coors, who owned Coors Brewing company at the time, also fought against the University of Colorado establishing Chicano studies courses as part of the college curriculum.
Eager to change their image, Coors Brewing Company spearheaded a large marketing campaign with Cinco de Mayo. This led other marketers to follow, contributing to a transition of the holiday from a Chicano activist-led commemoration to a drinking holiday celebrated by Americans of all kinds. Many Americans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo today are usually not even aware of the history behind the holiday.
Who observes this holiday
Cinco de Mayo continued to be celebrated by Mexican Americans in the years after 1862. During the 1960s, Chicano activists across California and the American Southwest celebrated Cinco de Mayo as a day to reflect on and celebrate Mexican-American history, pride and the Mexican diaspora’s connection to Mexican history. Outside of Puebla itself, Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in Mexico.
Traditions
Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate Mexican heritage. Mexican-American groups often host parades, art festivals and music festivals. Food is a big part of Cinco de Mayo as well. Popular Mexican dishes such as tacos or mole poblano are all good choices for Cinco de Mayo.
What to say
“Happy Cinco de Mayo!” is a traditional greeting for the day.
Since Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated as a drinking holiday in the U.S., this can veer into offensive stereotypes of Mexican culture. Avoid playing into offensive portrayals of people from Mexican backgrounds by wearing sombreros or ponchos (clothes you’d probably not normally wear). It is acceptable to commemorate the culture and honor Mexican heritage. However, using the culture as a costume is offensive and insensitive.