cinco de mayo

The holiday - Cinco de Mayo -  is an important date in Mexican history.  It commemorates the victory in 1862 of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla.

It also marks the first time the 

Mexican army defeated a better 

equipped foreign power, in this case the French. 

The battle took place in the modern city of Puebla de Zaragoza on 5 May 1862.  It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated with great gusto in the Mexican state of Puebla.  There are some limited celebrations in other parts of Mexico.  In fact I am hearing on the radio right now ads for celebrations, mostly in the form of discounts and sales at different malls here around Merida.

I don't know about other parts of the USofA, but in Colorado, where I'm from, Cinco de Mayo was/is a big deal.  There were always big events in the parks, and sometimes downtown, a very carnival like atmosphere with games, rides, vendors, car and bike exhibitions. Oh, and the food vendors, there were always trucks and tables set with regional dishes.  I didn't understand the significance of the 'regional' foods then, but I sure appreciate them now.  And I do recall the dress of many of the latinos that came to the events, I now also recognize and appreciate the differing regional dress.  Travel, and especially living in other countries has a definite affect on ones vision of the world.

One additional thing about Cinco de Mayo - 

It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.


Anyway!   


Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!
OR
as it is called in Mexico
buen aniversario de la Batalla de Puebla!

Cinco de Mayo

A friend, a Mexican friend offered to me this explanation as to why Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo with much more gusto than Mexicans;

5 de Mayo is just a minor battle against the French when they were trying to get our territory, and Mexican army won it; so for Mexicans is not a very important battle. Corona Beer maybe even 20 years ago, started making a campaign to sell more beer in the US, and as a marketing tool they advertised it as Cinco de Mayo let's have a Mexican party with beer. Since Cinco de Mayo is an easy language sentence for the least Spanish inclined person, they made it, and everybody in The States thought that it was a big Mexican Hollyday. So, year after year is getting bigger there, and in Mexico the majority of Mexicans ignore what goes on in USA.

And then friend, and fellow blogger Paul, an American offered this story on his blog;


Back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery to Veracruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest, single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York . The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great that they began an annual commiseration of their misfortune which they observe to this day.

This National Day of Mourning occurs annually on May 5th and is known as:
Sinko De Mayo.


I like them both!