By Suzanne Barbezat
Mexico Travel Expert, about.com
Celebrate Mexican Culture:
Cinco de Mayo is a perfect time to celebrate Mexican culture and history. A common misconception is that this is Mexican Independence Day. The holiday in fact commemorates a battle between Mexican and French forces that took place in Puebla
in 1862. The Mexicans triumphed over the much larger and better trained
French army. This unlikely victory is a source of pride for Mexicans
and is remembered every year on May 5th.
Origins and History of Cinco de Mayo:
In
1861 Mexico was facing a severe economic crisis and President Benito
Juarez decided to temporarily stop payment on external debt in order to
deal with the internal financial situation. The countries Mexico was in
debt to, Spain, England and France, were concerned about their payments
and sent a delegation to Mexico to assess the situation. Juarez was able
to resolve the issue with Spain and Britain diplomatically, and they
withdrew.
The French, however, had other plans.
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Napoleon
III, realizing the strategic importance of Mexico as a neighbor to the
growing power of the United States, decided it would be useful to make
Mexico into an empire that he could control. He decided to send his
distant cousin, Maximilian of Hapsburg, to become emperor and rule
Mexico backed up by the French army.
The French military were
confident they would be able to overcome the Mexicans without undue
difficulty, but were surprised in Puebla, when a much smaller battalion
of Mexican soldiers, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza were able to defeat
them on May 5th, 1862. The war was far from over, however. More troops
of French military arrived and eventually took over Mexico City,
sending Benito Juarez' government into exile. Maximilian was crowned
emperor of Mexico in 1864. Maximilian's government held until Napoleon
III withdrew French troops from Mexico in 1866.
Cinco de Mayo
became a source of inspiration for Mexicans during the French
occupation. As a moment in which Mexicans had shown courage and
determination in the face of a major colonial European power, it came to
be a symbol of Mexican pride, unity and patriotism and the occasion is
remembered every year.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Mexico:
Cinco de Mayo is an optional national holiday in Mexico:
students have the day off from school, but whether banks and government
offices close will vary from state to state. Celebrations in Puebla,
where the legendary battle took place, outshine those held elsewhere in
Mexico. In Puebla the event is commemorated with parades and a battle
reenactment.
Cinco de Mayo in the U.S.:
Cinco
de Mayo has become a day for celebrating Mexican culture in the United
States, particularly in communities with a large Hispanic population.
Find out why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the U.S. than it is in Mexico.
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Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party:
Sometimes
the best way to celebrate is by having your own party. A Mexican-themed
fiesta is fun for people of all ages. Whether you're planning a small
get-together or a major party, there are resources across the About.com
network to help you get your party planning right. From invitations to
food, music and decorations, here are some resources for throwing a Cinco de Mayo party.
