Cinco de Mayo: History and Traditions

1. Cinco de Mayo's Significance
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo, celebrated May 5, is not Mexican Independence Day. Mexico actually declared its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810. Cinco de Mayo commemorates a battle that took place more than 50 years later, May 5, 1862. At this battle, the outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexican army stopped the advancing French forces in the state of Puebla.

2. Money Doesn’t Talk,
It Swears
Why did France decide to invade Mexico in the early 1860s? Mexico borrowed large amounts of money from European powers in the 1840s to help finance the Mexican-American War. When France came to collect, the Mexican economy had not yet recovered. Lacking sufficient funds, Mexican officials offered vouchers, swearing to pay in the future. In the age of European imperialism, delayed payment was provocation enough for a full-scale invasion, especially when France was eager to gain territory in the Americas.



3. 'Holey' Roman Emperor
Although Mexican forces bravely resisted the French at Puebla on Cinco de Mayo, their efforts only delayed the inevitable. By 1864 France occupied Mexico and installed Maximilian as the Mexican Emperor. Descendent from the legendary Hapsburg family that ruled the Holy Roman Empire for nearly 400 years, Maximilian did not reign as successfully as his ancestors. He was ousted by Mexican forces in 1867 and executed by firing squad June 10 of that year. His shirt, riddled with bullet holes, is on display in the museum at Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City.

4. Relive the Battle
Just as Americans recreate Civil War battles, some regions of Mexico stage re-enactments of the Battle of Puebla. Men playing the victorious Mexicans smear their skin with soot to help differentiate themselves from the French soldiers. In some reenactments telling the soldiers apart is even easier because those portraying the French carry bags brimming with wine bottles instead of weapons.

5. United States’ Celebrations
Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in many American cities, especially those with a large Mexican population. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2004 that 24 million U.S. residents were of Mexican descent, accounting for nearly 10 percent of America’s population. While the size of Cinco de Mayo celebrations varies throughout communities, few cities have a more interesting theme than Chandler, Ariz. Chandler holds annual Chihuahua races and parades. At the end of the day the two most stylish dogs are crowned king and queen of the celebration.



Sources Used

"Mexico." Columbia Encyclopedia. Accessed April 30, 2007, Dulles, Va. http://reference.aol.com/columbia/_a/mexico/20051206215609990039

Ingrao, Charles W. "Habsburg, House of." World Book Online Reference Center. 2006. 3 May, 2006. http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wb/Article?id=ar241580.

"Chandler Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races." AOL CityGuide. 2006. 3 May 2006. http://cityguide.aol.com/phoenix/entertainment/event.adp?evid=1265649.

Hernández, Octavio. "The 5 de Mayo Celebrations in Peñón de los Baños." México Desconocido. May 2000. 3 May 2006. http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/english/cultura_y_sociedad/
fiestas_y_tradiciones/detalle.cfm?idsec=15&idsub=60&idpag=1748.

"The History of Cinco de Mayo." MexOnline.com. 3 May, 2006. http://www.mexonline.com/cinco.htm.

"What is Cinco de Mayo?" How Stuff Works. 2006. 3 May, 2006. http://people.howstuffworks.com/cinco-de-mayo1.htm.

"Facts for Features: Cinco de Mayo." U.S. Census Bureau. 2006. 3 May, 2006. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/009726.html