Happy Cinco De Mayo
It is a common misconception that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico's Independence day - which is really Sept. 16th. in fact Cinco De Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico. In fact according to a 2007 paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico." It is more of a celebration of the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much like St. Patrick's Day is to the Irish.
So what does Cinco De Mayo celebrate you ask? Well Cinco De mayo is a celebration of the halting of the French invasion of Mexico in 1862. It commemorates the victory of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza who defeated superior French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 which stemmed the French invasion. The Mexicans were outnumbered by the better equipped French Army which had known no defeat in 50 years. The French eventually invaded Mexico City a year later and continued to occupy Mexico until, under U.S. pressure, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867.
Happy Cinco De Mayo ActiveRainers!
:)
Matt
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