A Brief History and Facts About Mexico and Cinco De Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the "Fifth of May." It is a commemoration of the victory of an outnumbered army of indigenous Mexicans over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862.
The unexpected triumph of the Mexicans proved to the world that their will to defend their nation’s sovereignty would prevail against a powerful foreign invader.
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| Who or what are Chicanos of the USA? |
Although Cinco de Mayo has dwindled down to a relatively minor event in Mexico today, the U.S. significantly celebrates it by highlighting its massive Mexican-American or Chicano culture and, by extension, its large Latinx population, often mistaken to all be from Mexico.
(NBC News) What do North Americanoss know about Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo’s significance to world history is more than about having a day dedicated to feasting on Mexican Food, abusing Margaritas, and wearing loud sombreros. So to give a better understanding of what Cinco de Mayo is all about, let’s go back to where and how it all began: the American Civil War as experienced by Mexicans.
What we call "Mexico" is actually officially named the "United Mexican States" (Estados Unidos Mexicanos). It is a very racially diverse country, the former Mayan, Aztec, and Toltec Empires. It is composed of an assortment of Native Americans blended with European invaders and others.
The indigenous language of Mexico is not Spanish. (That's the imperial invading European language that Spain brought, which is related to Latin, the language of the Roman Empire from Rome and Italy). Mexico's language is Nahuatl.
Mexico is not in South America. It is not even in Central America. It is actually part of North America, but to exclude it someone came up with a special category of its own, "Mesoamerica." Mexico has the world's largest pyramid (Cholula) and canyons larger than the U.S. Grand Canyon, but nobody knows that. California is Mexico; it's just that the top part, Alta California, was annexed by the USA. But Mexico didn't stop there. It extended beyond, and European powers divided it.
The early 1860s were witness to a time of great indebtedness by Mexico to France, England, and Spain as a result of the Mexican-American War and the Reform War.to France, England, and Spain as a result of the Mexican-American War and the Reform War.
Mexican President Benito Juárez suspended the payment of Mexico’s foreign debts for two years. Only France turned down the notion of a negotiation. Napoleon III, then ruler of France, saw this as an opportunity to build a Second Mexican Empire in Mexico with France reaping the benefits this time instead of Spain.
During the latter part of 1861, France’s Naval fleet attacked Veracruz and halted Pres. Juarez and his government.
In May 1862, French forces led by General Charles de Lorencez attacked Mexico City but were resisted by General Ignacio Zaragoza’s strong willed Mexican troops near Puebla de los Angeles ("Town of the Angels").
(Camilla Cabello) Mexican culture in a Cuban nutshell. While Latin America is amazingly diverse within, from the outside it must appear very similar -- sexual, sultry, family-oriented, emotional, sentimental, expressive, rebellious, closeted/trans, multi-racial, and warm.
Two thousand poorly-equipped Mexican fighters stood against 6,000 well-armed and well-trained professional French soldiers, known at that time as the “world’s premier army.”
Nearly 500 French soldiers and fewer than 100 Mexicans were killed in a battle that went on from dawn until dusk.
Sensing an eminent defeat, the French forces retreated. Mexico’s determination, unity, and patriotism won over France’s brutal attack. This was a much needed morale boost for the Mexican Army and to Mexico as a nation.
There’s so much to tell about what took place in Puebla, but what needs to be remembered seems to have been forgotten by most of those who should be passing down the story.
Mexico may have lost battles after that great victory, but Cinco de Mayo will always be a reminder to everyone that a grain of hope, no matter how small and insignificant it may be to others, can make the impossible possible.
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| Mexico was very big before the USA. |
The indigenous language of Mexico is not Spanish. (That's the imperial invading European language that Spain brought, which is related to Latin, the language of the Roman Empire from Rome and Italy). Mexico's language is Nahuatl.
 |
| Model of the massive Cholula Great Pyramid |
The early 1860s were witness to a time of great indebtedness by Mexico to France, England, and Spain as a result of the Mexican-American War and the Reform War.to France, England, and Spain as a result of the Mexican-American War and the Reform War.
During the latter part of 1861, France’s Naval fleet attacked Veracruz and halted Pres. Juarez and his government.
In May 1862, French forces led by General Charles de Lorencez attacked Mexico City but were resisted by General Ignacio Zaragoza’s strong willed Mexican troops near Puebla de los Angeles ("Town of the Angels").
(Camilla Cabello) Mexican culture in a Cuban nutshell. While Latin America is amazingly diverse within, from the outside it must appear very similar -- sexual, sultry, family-oriented, emotional, sentimental, expressive, rebellious, closeted/trans, multi-racial, and warm.
Nearly 500 French soldiers and fewer than 100 Mexicans were killed in a battle that went on from dawn until dusk.
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| The famous Aztec (not Mayan) Calendar |
There’s so much to tell about what took place in Puebla, but what needs to be remembered seems to have been forgotten by most of those who should be passing down the story.
Mexico may have lost battles after that great victory, but Cinco de Mayo will always be a reminder to everyone that a grain of hope, no matter how small and insignificant it may be to others, can make the impossible possible.
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