A Brief History of Cinco De Mayo Day:
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The Fifth Of May, commemorates the victory of
the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily
a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and
throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country
and in U.S.cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people
think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.
In 1862, France invaded the Gulf coast of Mexico and began to march toward
Mexico City. Although American President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to Mexico's
cause, and for which he is honored in Mexico, the U.S. was involved in its own Civil
War at the time and was unable to provide any direct assistance.
Marching on toward Mexico City from the coast, the French army encountered strong
resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Lead by Mexican General
Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, a small, poorly armed militia of about 4,500 were able
to stop and defeat a well outfitted French army of 6,500 soldiers, which halted the
invasion of the country. The victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots and
is the cause for the historical date's celebration.
For the most part, the holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional holiday
in Mexico, celebrated most vigorously in the state of Puebla. Though there is
recognition of the holiday throughout the whole country, it's nothing like that
found in Puebla. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular along
the U.S.-Mexico border and in parts of the U.S. that have a high population of people
with a Mexican heritage. In these areas the holiday is a celebration of Mexican
culture, of food, music, beverage and customs unique to Mexico.
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