Doug Kerr
Well-known member
The holiday known in the US by the Spanish phrase El Cinco de Mayo (the fifth of May) is especially important in the Southwest, where Mexican culture and history play an important role.
The holiday, known in Mexico as El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla) commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over far better equipped French occupiers at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
The French occupation of Mexico ensued in the wake of the Mexican-American war (which among other things made New Mexico a part of the United states) and several following wars. Many historians attribute this movement by France as being preparatory to an attempt to regain French control over a substantial portion of the United States.
According to these commenters, the timely outbreak of the American Civil War seemed to offer the French an improved opportunity by weakening the American union. Some believed that the French, from newly-established bases in Mexico, would provide support to the breakaway Confederate States in pursuit of that scenario.
The victory of the Mexican forces at Puebla was seen as significantly interfering with that plan. Thus, argue some historians, the Mexican victory at Puebla was actually of great significant to the continuing history of the United States.
But this is little known to many Americans, who see El Cinco de Mayo just as an opportunity to enjoy a little extra Mexican food, perhaps a little (?) cerveza, and of course a wide range of wondrous music.
Best regards,
Doug
The holiday, known in Mexico as El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla) commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over far better equipped French occupiers at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
The French occupation of Mexico ensued in the wake of the Mexican-American war (which among other things made New Mexico a part of the United states) and several following wars. Many historians attribute this movement by France as being preparatory to an attempt to regain French control over a substantial portion of the United States.
According to these commenters, the timely outbreak of the American Civil War seemed to offer the French an improved opportunity by weakening the American union. Some believed that the French, from newly-established bases in Mexico, would provide support to the breakaway Confederate States in pursuit of that scenario.
The victory of the Mexican forces at Puebla was seen as significantly interfering with that plan. Thus, argue some historians, the Mexican victory at Puebla was actually of great significant to the continuing history of the United States.
But this is little known to many Americans, who see El Cinco de Mayo just as an opportunity to enjoy a little extra Mexican food, perhaps a little (?) cerveza, and of course a wide range of wondrous music.
Best regards,
Doug