Happy Cinco de Mayo! - Another celebrated French failure!

Viva Cinco de Mayo ^

[Shortwave]

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.

So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.

The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.

Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.

[Shortwave]

I know that relations are strained between Mexico and the United States at this point in time, but I think we both can celebrate today which marks yet another failure in French foreign policy! So have couple of Corona's and bad talk berets and Jean Frances Kerry!

[Shortwave]

From the article, and stop me if you've heard this one before!

When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz' superb horsemen miles away.

[NonValueAdded]

In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces.

Yeah, but enough with the gratitude already!

[TomGuy]

Another version:

M a y 5 ^{t h}

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Las Cinco Amigos
Hey!...Ho!..Boo-Yah!...Andele!!...Yee-HAH!

[untrained skeptic]

"Yeah, but enough with the gratitude already!"

If they're willing to come to our country and join the armed forces, we should welcome them and consider them for citizenship.

Those would be legal immigrants. It's the illegal immigrants I have a problem with.

[LIConFem]

I'm so depressed...

[NonValueAdded]

Sorry, I didn't mean in any way, shape, or form to disparage the brave men and women in our armed forces. My poor attempt at humor maintained a linkage that I did not intend. I know the armed forces will enlist non-citizens and even provide a path to citizenship but I don't think they accept illegals.

[Tugo]

5-05-05 Great Date!

[Tugo]

Hey Shortwave>>> Your enlightened comments and informative web sight convinced me too. We are all Bozos on this bus.
Thanks for the good news. ADMF

[Tugo]

Correction: Life Guard>>> OUT of the POOL .

[ctlpdad]

Meek, here's a troll for you in post #8. Check out the posting history.

[ShadowDancer]

Lifeguard on Duty. Swim at Your Own Risk.

[Gaetano]

I guy who was born on May 5, 1950, goes to the track today -- his 55th birthday -- and puts $555 dollars on the 5th horse in the 5th race to win.

It finished 5th.

[N. Theknow]

The school called

You left your lunchbox on the short bus.

Again!

[Dane]

Oh no not Cinco de Mayo! According to some on FR this holiday is the end of the American Republic, and that danger is that it is mostly clebrated by American owned comglomerate Mexican restaurant chains, and how dare they price Corona's half off, and the buxom blonde waitress, named Barb, makes much more than her usual tips.

[Tugo]

Lifeguard got zapped.

[SelmaLee]

Lifeguard! Lifeguard!
There's a slug in the pool!

[ctlpdad]

Yup. Thursday morning must be trash pickup day.