SUNDAY, MAY 5TH, CINCO DE MAYO

 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 - CINCO DE MAYO

We all need something to celebrate. We have St. Patrick’s Day (primary Irish-Americans), Columbus Day (primarily Italian-Americans), Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth (mainly Black Americans, and Indigenous Americans Day (native Americans).  There are other days and celebrations by many ethnic groups. Germans celebrate Oktoberfest (for the entire month of October). Finnish Americans invented St. Urho (fictional) Day.

In addition, the German Restaurant in Walburg, Texas, celebrates Mayfest and Octoberfest. Some other areas, like Fort Worth and New Braunfels, Texas, also celebrate Mayfest.  

History of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo 2024: Facts, Meaning & Celebrations | HISTORY

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. T, which falls on Sunday, May 5 in 2024, d,is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican American populations.

The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated, they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash. Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza’s success at the Battle of Puebla on May 5 represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. In 1867—thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War—France finally withdrew.

The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico in 1864 by Napoleon, was captured and executed by Juárez’s forces. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there.

Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as celebrating Mexican culture and heritage in the United States, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations.

Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of Indigenous Mexicans (such as Juárez) over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla.

Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano. Some of the largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.

Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Independence Day in Mexico (Día de la Independencia) is commemorated on September 16,

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So, Americans celebrate when a small Mexican army wins a minor victory. Mexicans are NOT celebrating. Mexican Independence Day is September 16.  

It might be a bit incongruent - but that’s okay.  

Why not have a day to eat tacos and drink margaritas?  

In most communities, there are Mexican (or Tex-Mex) restaurants, including Taco Bell and Taco Johns. There is also a collection of fast-food Mexican restaurants and sit-down restaurants (I like Chuy’s and Mi Terra in San Antonio).  

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We will have graduation parties, birthday parties, anniversary parties (and wedding receptions), and more in May.  

So let’s celebrate a minor battle victory for the outnumbered Mexican forces - and support the second largest population group in the United States. (And, if the forecasts are good, those of Hispanic background will outnumber White Americans in Texas in a few years.) 

Have a taco on me. (I don’t like tequila, so I’ll pass on a margarita.)

LOVE WINS

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF (and the Southern Neighbor to the United States is Mexico - and those who want asylum in the United States sure haven’t been shown much love!!!)

Karen Anne White, © May 5th, 2024