What is Cinco De Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "The Fifth of May") takes place every year on May 5th. Though not an official holiday in the USA or Mexico, it is celebrated in both countries, as it should be. What is the significance of this holiday?

The history of Cinco de Mayo, like that of many holidays, is rooted in war. Specifically the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when Emperor Napoleon III of France sought to conquer Mexico. In the year 1810, Mexico declared its independence from Spain. After finally driving the Spanish occupancy from its borders in 1821, the new country struggled with inner battles and accumulated a large amount of debt. In 1862, troops from England, France, and Spain invaded Mexico in an attempt to collect the money that was owed them. Deals were made with Spain and England, who returned to their respective countries, but France decided to stay.

Emperor Napoleon III hated the United States of America, and sought to own Mexico in hopes of providing more aid to Confederate soldiers, who were warring with the US government at the time. His plans were to cause America to fall apart from the inside out, by adding more kindling to the fire that was the US Civil War. The Emperor ordered his troops to attack Mexico City, assuming that the country would surrender if he took the capitol.

On May 5th, 1862, the French troops marched toward the capitol armed with the best weapons available. They met General Zaragosa, Colonel Porfirio Diaz, and the awaiting Mexican army in the state of Puebla. General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to send his cavalry to the French cavalry's flanks. The French responded by sending their cavalry after Diaz and his troops. The chase went on for miles, with a devastating defeat for the French cavalry, for Diaz's men were the best in the world. The French Infantry charged and met the force of the Mexican army head on. Indians also wanting to protect their land from invasion sent hundreds of cattle stampeding into the battle, crushing countless French troops. Although the French army outnumbered them nearly two-to-one, the Mexican infantry fought valiantly and won the battle.

The defeat of Napoleon III kept him from providing aid to Confederate soldiers. This gave the Union time to build its army and win the US Civil War. In thanks, the Union sent soldiers to help Mexico drive the French from its borders.

The Fifth of May, 1862 was an important day for both Mexico and the USA. Some people say that if Mexico had not defeated the French on that day, the Confederates would have won the Civil War, and the United States of America would be very different from the one we know today. Whether that's true or not, both USA and Mexico should celebrate this day, because they both played an important part in Cinco de Mayo history.

SOURCES

"Cinco History", VIVA! Cinco de Mayo

"The History of Cinco de Mayo", MEXonline.com