So today is the day you should probably just avoid all the Mexican restaurants — it’s Cinco de Mayo Day. We avoid restaurants on Valentine’s Day because they’e always packed, and we do the same for Mexican restaurants on Cinco de Mayo Day for the same reason.
We always celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day or so before, or sometimes a few days after. But, as has become the custom here on this blog, this is a day to talk about this, mostly American, holiday. Maybe I can even avoid repeating the things I’ve written on May 5 in past years…..
As a bit of background, the so-called War of Reform broke out in 1858, shortly after liberals drafted a new constitution aimed at reducing the power and influence of the Catholic Church. During the conflict, Mexico had two governments — a conservative one in Mexico City led by General Félix Zuloaga and a liberal one in Veracruz led by Benito Juarez, president of the supreme court. The liberals emerged “victorious” in 1861but the country remained starkly divided, with the conservatives plotting their revenge.
After the War of Reform, Mexico had virtually no money in its treasury and owed tens of millions of dollars to foreign debtors. President Juarez suspended payment of all foreign debt for two years — a move that prompted an immediate backlash from Spain, France and Great Britain. At the time, the United States was too consumed by its own Civil War to worry about enforcing the Monroe Doctrine and troops from those three countries began arriving in Veracruz in late 1861. Spain and Great Britain almost immediately withdrew, but about 6,000 French troops pushed inland toward the capital, supported by Mexico’s vanquished conservative leaders.
In 1862, the French had one of the best armies in the world. When they arrived at Puebla, on May 4, they were coming off a series of victories in Southeast Asia and Northern Africa and were loaded with firepower, including long-range rifles that put the Mexicans’ muskets to shame. On the morning of May 5, the French tried to intimidate the Mexicans with bugle calls and advanced bayonet maneuvers, but after a full day of fighting, including three unsuccessful uphill charges, they were forced to retreat due to heavy casualties.
Mexico’s victory at Puebla slowed, but didn’t stop France’s assault. After the Puebla battle, Napoleon sent almost 30,000 more troops to Mexico, and they were able to overrun Puebla and easily conquer Mexico City.
President Juarez declared Cinco de Mayo a holiday immediately after the Battle of Puebla, but for many/most Mexicans, it has always taken a backseat to events like the September 16 Independence Day. But in the United States, Cinco de. Mayo gained traction during the 1960s when activists in Chicago began looking for a way to honor their history and culture.
Cinco de Mayo is mostly celebrated in Puebla, Mexico — not across the entire country…. the Battle of Puebla was a short, small battle and certainly didn’t signal winning the war. And while Mexico didn’t win the war, this small victory gave hope to people across the world fighting against larger, stronger enemies.
So today, we celebrate the Battle of Puebla — a battle that lasted only about 4 hours. Seems like a good reason for margaritas to me…..
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