THIS MONTH IN HISTORY – MAY

The world changes constantly. On any given day, people make history and in some cases even change the future. The human race occasionally absorbs themselves in the now and totally disregards the past which has shaped this town, state, country and world. A dig into the past reveals suppressed history that has often been forgotten or overlooked. This forgotten, overlooked, untaught history must be remembered if we are to be united

May 5th, 1862:

CINCO DE MAYO, COMMEMORATES VICTORY OVER FRANCE IN THE BATTLE OF PUEBLA

Cinco De Mayo, the day Americans wear sombreros, eat chips and salsa, and sip margaritas. Quick question, what exactly are we celebrating? Mexico’s Independence Day right? Wrong.

The common misconception for Cinco De Mayo is that it is Mexico’s Independence Day when in fact it is not. It actually commemorates Mexican victory over France in the Battle of Puebla. Leading the Mexican army, General Ignacio Zaragoza led a troop of 2,000 soldiers into the town of Puebla to fend off French invaders. Lasting from sunrise to sunset, the Battle of Puebla was won in Mexico’s favor when the French realized that nearly 500 of their soldiers were killed and fell back.

Other than the traditional recreation of the Battle of Puebla, Mexico does not usually celebrate Cinco De Mayo as heavily as the United States does. Perhaps the U.S celebrates the 5th because without the Battle of Puebla, the French would have undoubtedly shifted the turnout of the Civil War in favor of the Confederate Army.

Most Americans think that Cinco De Mayo is Mexican Independence day but that is not the case. Mexican Independence Day is, in fact, celebrated September 16th. Not May the 5th.

Cinco De Mayo began to evolve into an American celebration back in the civil rights era. Mexican- Americans viewed Cinco De Mayo as a day of pride for their heritage. Then, in 1989, beer ad campaigns released an ad for beers like Modelo and Corona on the 5th of May. These ads were specifically targeted to Hispanics and Latinos which helped launch the TV and ad commercialized frenzy over Cinco De Mayo.

Now a days you see commercialization of Cinco De Mayo like Corona’s “ Countdown to Corona De Mayo” and $1 margaritas at Applebees. More or less Cinco De Mayo has transformed into a commercialized holiday.

This Month in History we acknowledge that Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Although it has been given the Christmas effect, Cinco De Mayo is a day that we should remember the brave victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza and his troop for fending off the French.