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On May Fifth, Cinco de Mayo, Mexico celebrates the Battle of Puebla, which took place in 1862. But this national holiday has crossed our border to the north and become a new kind of celebration in the United States. The history After Mexico gained its independence from Spain, it was torn by internal struggles. It lost territory both to the south and to the United States in the north. The country was invaded by the U.S., Spain and France. In 1861, President Benito Juárez, the first Constitutional, and indigenous, President of Mexico, found himself in possession of a bankrupt government. Juárez pledged to liquidate all foreign debts, but announced a suspension of two years on all payments, so that the country could recover financially. Napoleon III of France met with the leaders of England and Spain; the three powers agreed to send troops, while respecting the sovereignty of Mexico. But Napoleon III, together with the Conservatives within Mexico, had other plans. He saw this as an excuse and an opportunity to set up an empire. The United States was involved in a Civil War, which effectively kept it from defending the Monroe Doctrine. In January of 1862, France asked for an outrageous sum, 12 million pesos, far beyond Mexico's ability to pay. Juárez sent his Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Doblado to speak with the Spanish and English commanders, who agreed not to meddle in Mexico's affairs. When the French persisted in their demand and a large army, led by General Laurencez, arrived on national territory, England and Spain withdrew. Laurencez and 6000 well-trained and armed soldiers marched toward Mexico City. In the city of Puebla, they encountered 4000 Mexicans armed with antiquated guns and led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, of scant formal military experience. Laurencez charged the middle of the Mexican army to show his contempt. One thousand Frenchmen fell on that field; Zaragoza later counter-attacked, forcing Laurencez back to Orizaba and then all the way to the coast. This was the first time France had been defeated in almost half a century.
The date of this battle has become a national holiday celebrated with parades and official acts. Cinco de Mayo is the name of many a street in cities, towns and villages throughout Mexico. The significance The Battle of Puebla, with Mexico's victory over France, marks the last time a European army invaded the Americas. It has come to symbolize an end to foreign intervention. Naturally, Mexico was very proud of its victory and the enthusiasm this generated contributed to support Benito Juárez' liberal movement and strengthen a Republic of progressive legal reforms. Cinco de Mayo has come to represent national sovereignty and the right of self-determination. There is a marked ethnic significance to this event. General Laurencez reported to his government:
Obviously he was mistaken. And this holiday has come to represent the ability of indigenous peoples to defend themselves from military and cultural aggression and to preserve their traditions. The Present Mexicans and the descendants of Mexicans living in the United States wanted to maintain and reaffirm their roots. They chose Cinco de Mayo to celebrate their ethnic and cultural background. This day in spring has been enthusiastically adopted by Mexican-Americans, Chicanos and various Hispanic communities in the U.S. as a day of joyous reaffirmation. The Cinco de Mayo Fiestas include many forms of Latin music, a great variety of typical foods, theater, artwork, crafts fairs and many other cultural expressions; and they range from the three-day bash on Olvera Street in Los Angeles, --which attracts up to half a million people-- to small events sponsored by Mexican restaurants, and diversity programs in various school districts. On May 1, 1995, President William J. Clinton said:
When President Ernesto Zedillo met with the National Council of La Raza in Chicago, on July 23, 1997, he told them:
On May 5th, 1997, the International Web Site of the Presidency of Mexico first went on line. This year, on May 5th, 2000, we celebrate three years of our efforts to share information about this administration, our history and our culture with the global community. It seems appropriate that this coincides with a national holiday which has moved beyond our borders and been transformed. And, in the words of our President at that same event in Chicago, we would like to:
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