“They do celebrate the holiday in Mexico, but it is only a big deal in Puebla.”. Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day —the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16, commemorating the Cry of Dolores, which, in 1810, initiated the war of Mexican independence from Spain. To enter this site, you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Rather than being a day of independence, it is the celebration of the day the Mexican army was victorious over France on May 5, 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. Mexican Independence Day vs Cinco de Mayo by Claudine Zap September 16 is the anniversary of Mexican Independence Day. Here is a quick breakdown of why the French and Mexicans were battling in Puebla on Cinco de Mayo: – In 1862 Mexico was recovering from many wars: Mexican-American War 1846-48 , Mexican Civil War 1858, & the 1860 Reform Wars . About a century later, Chicano activists rediscovered the holiday and embraced it as a symbol of ethnic pride. But we found most people don't know the real story behind this holiday. Food, music and dance may be common associations with Mexican celebrations, but it’s a popular misconception that the holiday Cinco de Mayo is the official celebration of Mexican Independence. “It is something that extends to cultural and national ties as well as family ties.”, Margarita Sánchez of Wagner College takes a pragmatic view of what Cinco de Mayo has become. Food, music and dance may be common associations with Mexican celebrations, but it’s a popular misconception that the holiday Cinco de Mayo is the official celebration of Mexican Independence. Perhaps it would be best to state this at the beginning: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. It explains some of the customs and traditions of Mexicans. Why was Mexico at war with France? Somehow, at some point, Cinco de Mayo started getting confused with Mexican Independence Day which is September 16 and celebrates the Mexican nation’s independence from Spain. Why do people thinks Cinco de Mayo is Mexico´s Independence Day? “This fact should make Americans, especially Texans, very proud of their connection to that event,” said Raul Ramos of the University of Houston. The battle of cinco de mayo, 1862, Puebla, Mexico. His research shows that the celebration began among Mexicans in California in the mid-19th century. Mexican Independence Day is September 16. The holiday provides an opportunity for many to connect with the spirit of Mexican, traditional food, music and of course, tequila. “And at some point it became very commercial; with people taking advantage of the day to drink all the Coronas they can drink.”. 1. The truth is, Cinco de Mayo marks Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the very unlikely victory of a small Mexican militia in the year of 1862, when they won against the huge French army. It marks the day in 1810 when the Catholic “Back then, when Latinos here got the news that French were stopped at Puebla, it electrified the population, and propelled them to a new level of civic participation. 4. “The French army was considered the best army in the world at the time, and they had not been defeated in decades,” Professor Margarita Sánchez of Wagner College told NBC News. Isn’t It Mexico’s Independence Day? The evolution of Cinco de Mayo can be seen as a metaphor for Mexican-American assimilation. Cinco de Mayo is a bigger celebration in the U.S. than in Mexico. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated every year on September 16. It's not Mexico’s Independence Day: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the triumph of the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The first American Cinco de Mayo celebrations date back to the 1860s, when Mexicans in California commemorated the victory. Cinco de Mayo is a relatively insignificant event in the annals of Mexican history. Casa Dragones honors this date with a “16” on our label. It’s often thought that’s Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. The truth is, Cinco de Mayo marks Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. In actuality, Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain on September 16. We love that Mexican Independence Day honors a brave holy man who gave his life to free his country. Cinco de Mayo commemorates a military victory over France — not Spain. But it is not Mexican Independence Day. During that time, I have learned three important distinctions between Sept. 16 and Cinco de Mayo: 1. Día de la … It’s not that holiday. Mexican Independence Day has serious roots. In contrast, Cinco de Mayo in Mexico is celebrated in a very low-key manner.Students get the day off, but banks and government offices are open. Posted on 30 April, 2015 by Cynthia Andrade. NY, NY. It's not Mexico’s Independence Day: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the triumph of the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence Day…It is September 16. Not Sure What Cinco de Mayo Is All About? But this day is often confused with another observance called Cinco De Mayo, which takes place on May 5 each year. They were concerned about France, which sided with the Confederacy, being on America’s doorstep.” Had the Battle of Puebla gone differently, there is a real chance that the Civil War might have gone differently. File photo of Guillermo Nunez as he performs at Los Angeles Farmer Market during Cinco de Mayo festivities on May 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Today marks the 154th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, a bicultural celebration that has become synonymous with margaritas, cervezas (beer) and the occasional controversy. Día de … 6 essential time management skills and techniques In the 1980s and 1990s, corporations (especially the alcohol and restaurant industries) began promoting Cinco de Mayo as a way to reach Hispanic consumers and sell products like tequila and beer. Sept. 16 marks the beginning of the war for Mexico’s Independence from Spain. No, May 5 th is not Mexican Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo has taken on greater significance in the U.S as a day to honor Mexican culture. That holiday occurs on September 16 each year, the anniversary of the Grito de Dolores , a speech and battle cry uttered by Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1810 that inspired the movement that ultimately freed Mexico from Spanish rule. During the French occupation of Mexico, a larger, better-trained and better-equipped French army encountered heavy resistance from a smaller and more poorly equipped Mexican army near the city of Puebla —and on May 5, 1862, that Mexican army managed to hold off the French. Instead it represented a struggle against imperialism.”, Ramos noted that prior to the first Cinco de Mayo, Mexico was a nation with strong regional differences, from the Pacific coast to Northern Mexico to the Yucatan. “I wish it were celebrated with more depth, with more opportunity to learn about Mexican history,” she said. Go To Portland, Oregon. So over time, this “foreign” holiday has become firmly ingrained in U.S. consciousness; Cinco de Mayo received its own commemorative postage stamp in 1998 and is also customarily observed at the White House. Latinos joined the Union army and navy and some went back to Mexico to fight the French,” Hayes-Bautista told NBC News. But put away your guacamole hat. The Battle of Puebla, he explained, occurred at a time when the Confederacy was expanding into New Mexico and Arizona, getting closer to California (which was a free state). Cinco De Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. Declaration of Independence. While people often mistake Cinco de Mayo for a celebration of Mexican independence, it is not. Somehow, at some point, Cinco de Mayo started getting confused with Mexican Independence Day which is September 16 and celebrates the Mexican nation’s independence from Spain. The Mexican aspect of Texas history has been so marginalized and ghettoized, it takes extra effort for people to learn about it.”, Ramos pointed out that the fact that a Tejano (or “Tex-Mex”) has a link to Cinco de Mayo reflects the reality that Mexican history is part of American history. Contrary to widespread popular belief, May 5th is not actually Mexican Independence Day, and the holiday is primarily celebrated in only one of Mexico's 31 states. Napoleon III hoped to install a monarchy in Mexico (which he was able to do for a few years before Mexico ousted the French). Aguirre explains that Americans of non-Mexican heritage sometimes confuse Mexican Independence Day with Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Blog. Even more surprising for some is that Cinco de Mayo, whose translation is “fifth of May” isn’t celebrated in Mexico. Sign up for our newsletter for first looks at limited editions, seasonal cocktail recipes, and more. In fact, Los Angeles is host to what is routinely described as the largest Cinco de Mayo party in the world, a multiday event known as Fiesta Broadway. You're Not Alone, Cinco De Mayo: A Quintessentially 'American' Holiday, Want a Good Cinco de Mayo Celebration? Fun Facts about Mexican Independence Day (Cartoons for Kids) Educational - Duration: 3:14. Cinco de Mayo is fun, but it’s so commercialized that most people who hit the bars for tequila shots and 2-for-1 taco specials on May 5th don’t even know that it commemorates a long ago historical battle. Not Mexican Independence Day: Cinco de Mayo 05/05/2008 09:37 am ET Updated May 25, 2011 Every year, as we approach the 5th of May, stores and companies begin to promote Cinco de Mayo in their storefronts and through their advertisements. Mexico's Independence Day marks the beginning of a decade-long revolution Commonly confused with Cinco de Mayo in the U.S., this holiday celebrates … Many Americans assume Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day. Most people know Cinco de Mayo is on May 5th. “But it was not a struggle for independence. It’s not. However, what they don't know is that it is not Mexico's Independence Day. The only major parades and fiestas taking place south of the border are held in the city of Puebla, where there's a military parade and a mock battle is staged to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, the event that gave rise to the holiday. “The significance of Cinco de Mayo is that it represents Mexican resistance to foreign intervention, it is a moment where Mexico as a young nation rallied to defend itself,” said Raul Ramos, Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston. Follow NBC News Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Let us explain. Cinco de Mayo was a battle in puebla against the french when a bunch of Mexican peasants beat the french troops. 2. The celebration of “ Cinco de Mayo ” commemorates the “Battle of Puebla” (May 5, 1862). The hero of the original Cinco de Mayo was a Texan. By clicking YES, you agree to our Terms and Conditions of Website Use and Privacy Policy. Go To Portland, Oregon. RELATED: Cinco De Mayo: A Quintessentially 'American' Holiday, “It (Cinco de Mayo) started out as a cultural celebration, then became bigger and bigger,” said Sánchez. The scale of these festivities even dwarfs those in Puebla. ?Here's a video so now every year I will just copy and paste this on my Facebook … Cinco de Mayo acknowledges the Battle of Puebla against France. To help you with your celebration this year, the Alamo presents the history of Cinco de Mayo. Mistaking Cinco de Mayo for Mexican Independence Day is equivalent to confusing the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans against the British during the War of 1812 with the actual holiday celebrating the U.S. “But often it doesn't resonate. It was very unprecedented and it was short-lived, sadly, because a year later the French came back and took over. Educational Videos for Students (Cartoons on Bullying, Leadership & More) 57,674 views It’s not Cinco de Mayo. 5. So here are five facts that will probably surprise you about Cinco de Mayo: 1. Introduction Turned into an excuse to drink Mexican beer and eat tacos (like we needed an excuse) 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. Cinco de Mayo is a relatively insignificant event in the annals of Mexican history. Many Americans assume Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day. However, that is incorrect. “For Mexicans in the U.S., the Civil War and the French invasion of Mexico were like one war with two fronts. Not Mexico's Independence Day Many believe Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day. This is the most significant day for Mexicans, which embodies their pride for their home country. General Ignacio Zaragosa, who led the ragtag Mexican forces to victory over the superior French army, was born near what is now Goliad, Texas. Cinco de Mayo has a connection to the U.S. Civil War. I enjoyed learning about the different foods associated with the celebration of their independence, it reminds me of the way Americans celebrate the 4th of July. On this Mexican Independence Day 2020, we tell you why it often gets confused with Cinco De Mayo and how are they different. But it matters not, as the issue is not drinking and driving. Mexican Independence Day, known to Mexicans as El Grito, on September 16, commemorates the start of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain—a fight that would continue through September 1821. David Hayes-Bautista, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the University of California Los Angeles, has written that Cinco de Mayo is very much an American holiday. Nov. 11, 2020. No-one wants to be arrested for a Cinco de Mayo/September 16, DUI and dealing with jail, costs, stress, time wasted in court and classes etc. “It gives you a sense that our countries have had a shared history going back hundreds of years,” he said. Mexico’s independence is celebrated on September 16th and shouldn’t be confused with the holiday of May 5th. “So this was a real David versus Goliath situation that inspired Mexicans at home and in the U.S.”, 3. Independence day was the whole thing with Pancho Via, and Emliano Zapata revolting against the small upper class who owned most of the land and wealth of Mexico, Pancho via wanted power and wealth, Zapata wanted to redistribute the land amongst the masses. “Recent Mexican immigrants are often surprised at what a huge thing Cinco de Mayo has become here,” said Sánchez. Another common misconception is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. It is a very important holiday in the country and not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo. But don’t stow away the fireworks, as celebrating Mexican heritage continues throughout the year. Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a pretty popular holiday to celebrate in the United States, although its roots lie in Mexico. He said that as Cinco de Mayo became more popular—and commercialized—in the. Mexican independence and Cinco de Mayo is a very informative book about Mexican history. How an educator uses Prezi Video to approach adult learning theory; Nov. 11, 2020. It’s not. Because the Mexican government had defaulted on its foreign debt to several European countries, so France invaded our southern neighbor. RELATED: Want a Good Cinco de Mayo Celebration? “The Battle of Puebla helped the country coalesce around the idea of a unified Mexican identity.”. “But a day of celebration is a day of celebration — and that is good for everyone.”. 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