A Look at Mexico's Unexpected Victory: Cinco de Mayo
Courtesy of VacationRentalPeople
Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May is a day of great cultural significance in Mexico, and a tradition that has been kept alive for nearly 150 years. It celebrates one of history's most unlikely victories by a Mexican army over the strong French opposition.
The hero here is Ignacio Zaragosa Seguin, the man who led the ill-equipped, modest Mexican army to victory over a much more experienced French army.Throughout the town of Puebla Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as a defining moment, and throughout the United States it is celebrated in bars, and by families straying to Mexican eateries. The conflict has its roots based in the time of France's occupation of Mexico in the early half of the 19th century. With conflicts arising throughout the whole mid period of the 19th century, the nation was in an unstable position, fiercely fought after as one of the new world countries over the Atlantic.
The wars left Mexico's treasury in ruins, taking a financial strain in regards to the constant rebuilding of the nation, after being left in ruins. The declaration that debts would be repaid led to the withdrawal of Spanish and British forces from Mexico, while France still remained in the country. The French ruler Napoleon III used the opportunity to try to establish Mexico as part of the French empire. In 1861 the French army fell upon Mexico, as a French squad of 8,000 were eventually fought off by 4,000 poorly equipped Mexicans.
It was certainly a shock, the French army were notorious as the world's best at the time, and yet they were beaten by an army that wasn't even an army. Just passionate citizens fending their territory with whatever they could.
The victory was not long lived. A year and 30,000 troops later the territory was regained by France, however three years later the natives had taken back their home and sent France packing.
In the region of Pueblo where the battle took place, it is a moment of great pride, and duly remembered every year. A holiday of merriment and great pride as it celebrates the patriotism of those who though for the freedom of the Puebla people. The significance of the event is more than just the folklore of a slight Mexican army beating a much bigger and better prepared French army. It also marks the last European invasion of any country in the Americas.
Cinco de Mayo is now a popular event in Pueblo bringing many tourists to Mexico vacation rentals
and hotels. Though it is not celebrated throughout the country.
In fact while many places do not officially celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, many in the United States of America do. This is largely due to their fending off of the Europeans, leading the way to the war of independence. Also it is perhaps any excuse for a national holiday. In America it is mostly celebrated with Tequilas all round and foods that form the stripes of the Mexican flag.
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