In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with typical Mexican dishes, rancheras, and traditional dresses, while in Mexico it is not a date of great relevance in the calendar. What is the origin of this festival?
May 5—or Cinco de Mayo, as it is known—is a date marked on the calendar of Americans, especially those who reside in border areas with Mexico.
The streets of regions such as California or Texas are colored with the wide range of colors that characterize traditional Mexican costumes, and every corner is impregnated with the sound of guitars that add melody to the most danceable rancheras.
Meanwhile, in much of Mexico, the day passes normally. And, contrary to what some Americans think, Independence Day, the most important national holiday of the Latin American country, is not celebrated on May 5.
What really happened on May 5?
On May 5, in Mexico, the Battle of Puebla is commemorated.
In 1861, the country was plunged into a great economic crisis that led it to suspend payment of the debts it had with Spain, England, and France. Consequently, the three European countries banded together to send troops and forcibly recover their money. But before taking action, Mexico officially committed, through the Treaties of La Soledad, to make the corresponding payments.
For this reason, Spain and England withdrew their men and sent them back to the old continent. However, France did not fulfill its part of the treaty, and on May 5, 1862, its army confronted that of Mexico outside the city of Puebla.
The Mexican army was led by Ignacio Zaragoza and composed of about 5,000 soldiers, while the French military contingent, led by Charles Ferdinand Latrille, was stronger in men and weapons.
The Mexican army was led by Ignacio Zaragoza and composed of about 5,000 soldiers, while the French military contingent, led by Charles Ferdinand Latrille, was stronger in men and weapons.
Mexican army managed to win and, in this way, claim the independence of the Latin American Country.
So, WHY IS CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES?
Although there is no trace of American actions or characters in the historical account, there are several factors that explain why Cinco de Mayo, which is referred to without an English translation, has become a great celebration in the United States.
On the one hand, it is said that, a few years after the battle, a group of Mexicans celebrated this event in Texas, the place where Ignacio Zaragoza was born 16 years before the region separated from Mexico and became part of the United States. . Such was the celebration that this day became a symbol for Mexicans who lived in areas north of the border.
Some time later, the governments of these regions began to make the celebration official. But it was not until 1989 that Cinco de Mayo took on a national projection. That year, President George H.W. Bush gave a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House in which he invited us to “remember our close friendship with Mexico and honor the many contributions that Mexican Americans have made to our nation.””.
Unlike in the United States, in Mexico the commemoration takes place in Puebla and its surroundings, but the rest of the country does not experience this day with great emotion, and many are surprised to see the great festive display it represents in cities like Las Vegas. or San Diego, where they use slogans like “There’s no time for siesta; we’re having fiesta!” (“There’s no time for a nap; we’re going to party!”) to promote the festivities.
Just as happens with Valentine’s Day or Halloween, marketing has also taken over the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and their real meaning has been distorted, to the point where in the United States, a country in which, according to the latest official data, people of Mexican origin represent approximately 11% of the total population, the date is often confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is commemorated each year on September 15 and 16.
