Posted on 05/05/2025 6:14:13 AM PDT by Red Badger
CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco De Mayo's deeply rooted history in the Franco-Mexican War influenced Mexican-Mexican American communities in the early years of the American Civil War. In the early 1860s, as the Civil War erupted, these communities took up the banner of the Cinco De Mayo celebration as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy. Today, in the United States, Americans celebrate Mexican-American heritage and pride annually on May 5th.
#CincodeMayo
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “fifth of May.”
On June 7, 2005, the United States Congress issued a Concurrent Resolution. The resolution invited the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
According to José Alamillo, professor of ethnic studies at Washington State University in Pullman, a 2006 study found more than 150 official events celebrating the day.
Celebrations surrounding the observance in the United States take on a significance beyond that in Mexico. They include displaying of banners and events highlighting Mexican culture, music, and regional dancing. School districts also hold special events to educate students about its historical significance. In the U.S., commercial interests the day by celebrating Mexican products and services with an emphasis on beverages, food, and music.
HOW TO OBSERVE CINCO DE MAYO
Celebrate Mexican heritage, culture, and history. Explore foods and traditions, music, and cinema. Immerse yourself in the language and discover new connections. Uncover long lost history and share your treasures. Share your Mexican heritage and use #CincodeMayo to post on social media.
Try these recipes to spice up your celebration:
Mexican Bean and Chicken Dip
Mexican Beef & Bean Dip
CINCO DE MAYO HISTORY
In 1861, the Battle of Puebla pitched 6,000 French troops against a small, under-supplied Mexican force of 2,000 men. Not expecting to win the campaign, the Mexican army overcame the French in under a day. While the battle didn't win the war, the victory held great symbolism for Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War and buoyed the army throughout the conflict. Each year, Mexico commemorates the day with celebrations across the country, though it is not a federal holiday.
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Notable Birthdays for May 5
John Archer (1741-1810) - The first person to received the first medical diploma issued on U.S. continent.
Alexander McNair (1775-1826) - The first Governor of Missouri.
John Batterson Stetson (1830-Still Living) - Founded the John B. Stetson Company (cowboy hats).
Lee Richmond (1857-1929) - The first pitcher in MLB baseball to pitch a perfect game.
Charles B. Hanford (1859-1926) - Shakespearean actor.
Charles "Chief" Bender (1884-1954) - Professional Native American MLB pitcher.
Pat Carroll (1927-2022) - Voice actor who played Ursula in The Little Mermaid.
Ilene Woods (1929-2010) - The voice of Cinderella in the Disney animation.
Stan Goldberg (1932-2014) - Comic book artist accredited with his work creating the characters in Archie Comics.
Stanley Cowell (1941-2020) - Jazz pianist who helped co-found the record label Strata-East.
Tammy Wynette (1942-1998) - Country music singer of the song Stand By Your Man.
Memorable Events for May 5
1809 - Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent (technique of weaving straw with silk and thread).
1866 - Memorial Day first celebrated in NY.
1877 - Sitting Bull leads his band of Lakota into Canada to avoid harassment by the U.S. Army.
1891 - Carnegie Hall (originally The Music Hall) opens in NY City.
1942 - Sugar rations begin in the U.S.
1943 - Postmaster General Frank Walker invents Postal Zone System.
1945 - The Japanese Army launches a Fu-Go balloon bomb and kills six people near Bly, OR.
1945 - U.S. forces liberate Mauthausen Concentration Camp.
1961 - Alan Shepard becomes the first American astronaut in space.
1965 - The first large-scale U.S. Army ground units land in South Vietnam.
If it is so deeply rooted why is it almost no mejican knows what it is about and the only people that really celebrate it are Americans who never pass up an opportunity to get drunk?
A girl scout troop could have defeated the French at Puebla.
No one in the USA should give a shiite about stinko Dee piehole!
May 5th a Mexican army unit defeated a vastly outnumbered French unit. That is all.
THAT is Mexico's great(est) military victory.
National Day calendar says today is National Hoagie Day. Far more worthy of a post than this.
Was it created by Corona or Dos Equis ?
I seem to remember Corona was the first to really promote it.
My father in law spent years living in Tijuana in the late 1950s. He went to San Diego State. Worked at the Corvair factory in San Diego and lived above a Whore House in Tijuana. He said NOBODY in Mexico drank Corona. That Dos Equis Amber was considered the Premium Cervasa in Mexico.
It is still his favorite beer. One of mine too. A lager beer made by German immigrants to Monterey.
My local Safeway had a Cinco de Mayo celebration this Saturday. It was very cute & cool. They had little stands set up among the aisles with older ladies passing out delicious free tacos and nachos, mariachis, and remarkable alcohol-free margarita made from two parts Sweet and Sour mix and one part Club Soda.
“May 5th is not some celebration of a Mexican victory against the French.. It is to celebrate the birth of the father of mass murdering socialism, Karl Marx.”
Nonsense. Carlos Alvarez, who started the Gabrinus Group (who popularized the beer holiday) was a staunch anti-socialist and active in Republican politics in Texas. Indeed, was a large funder.
The story of Cinco de Mayo was one of his favorite stories. He literally needed a way to unload Corona beer that no one wanted and picked the day out of a history book of Mexico, intentionally copying what America did for St. Patrick’s day.
And St. Paddy’s day is Irish. Both days are where amateur hour drinkers show up and then try to drive.
I’ll be sipping a nice Anejo in the comfort of my home. Or barn maybe.
“May 5th a Mexican army unit defeated a vastly outnumbered French unit. That is all.”
Actually Napoleon’s troops outnumbered the Mexicans 5:1.
It was actually more important for the USA, than Mexico, as this slowed the French support of the Confederacy.
“Was it created by Corona or Dos Equis ?”
By the Gabrinas Group in San Antonio. I know they had Corona at the time, but probably had other Mexican beer brands, too.
Gabrinas saved Shiner Bock, too.
Carlos Alvarez was a good guy. UTSA (I think) school of Business is named after him.
It shouldn't be listed on any USA calendar. They don't even celebrate it in Mexico.
Just read...It’s not even celebrated in Mexico.
What’s the big deal about defeating the French, anyway?
Cinco De Mayo is the Mexican bar/restaurant version of St Patrick’s Day.
Another reason to drink beer. The only difference is the brand and the green food coloring. At least the food is better.
“What’s the big deal about defeating the French, anyway?”
And it was a short-lived victory, at that. The French came back, and won, a year later.
That said, the actual historical significance of the Battle of Puebla is that it stalled the French support of the Democrat-led revolt to keep their slaves for a ~year and almost certainly shortened the duration of the American Civil War.
Napoleon III should have recognized the Confederacy and entered the Civil War on the side of Jeff Davis. His navy could have broken the blockade and gotten needed supplies for Lee and his rag-tag army That way he could have kept Mexico.
It’s a Mexican-American holiday.
My former g/f from Mexico City just could not understand why it is celebrated here. Mexicans celebrate Indepencia on 9/16.
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