Posted on 05/05/2006 9:07:34 AM PDT by Froufrou
San Antonio's Market Square will rock in Cinco de Mayo today like it's 1999, drawing crowds lining up for gorditas and suds. But in its native Mexico, the day won't inspire such bashes. Though it marks a victorious battle against the French in Puebla, Mexico's commemorations will be more subdued and historically based.
advertisement
It is remembered with pride, though. At the Battle of Puebla, Mexico was the underdog. With half as many soldiers, the Mexican army defeated 7,000 French troops, at least temporarily. Later, the French would regroup and run President Benito Juárez out of Mexico City to El Paso del Norte.
Some wonder why the holiday is so celebrated here, but historians such as Gilberto Hinojosa aren't surprised. It's because Juárez flees to the north, and Mexico's northern regions get to participate in a crucial historical moment — forging the future of Mexico as a republic. Before that, Mexican leaders were trying to figure out how to unite its disparate regions under a monarchy (think Maximilian) or a federation, says the professor at the University of the Incarnate Word.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
Sorry for the 'advertisement' thingy. Too much cerveza! ;o)
"With half as many soldiers, the Mexican army defeated 7,000 French troops"
Just about anyone could do this, hell a scout Jamboree could defeat 7000 frenchmen.
I don't mind Cinco de Mayo. The Irish (and many others) celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Likewise, Germans (and many others) celebrate Oktoberfest.
Yes, defeating the French isn't anything to brag about! LOL!
And I - of German heritage [and French] - love Oktoberfest!
Stinko de Mayo.
I don't mind CDM either. ....as long as it's celebrated as it should be and not spent protesting the American gov't.
That's only later! ;o) While imbibing, most people don't notice or even care...
So today is Sink Hole Duh Mayo?
Pinko de Mayo
Hello, Pubby. Thanks for sharing. Yeah, we have friends from Houston who say they will tape a tortilla to the antenna on the car and drive north until someone asks. "why the pancake?"
I've told them it's too late and they will end up in New Zealand...
"Cinco de Mayo": Spanish for "American beer drinking holiday".
Americans will turn any nation's holidays into a drinking binge.
Cinco de Mayo: Mexico - celebration of military victory. America - reason to drink too much Corona.
St. Patrick's Day: Ireland - holy day commemorating country's patron saint. America - reason to drink too much Guinness.
Oktoberfest: Germany - drunken beer party. America - at least we maintain the heritage of this one.
Forget Cinco de Mayo. We should be celebrating March 10th, the anniversary of Senate ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 in which we stole...er, obtained...from Mexico what is now the American southwest.
Har!
Mexican History You Should Be Aware Of
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.
Just great!! I needed that!
In the USA, Cinco de Mayo has largely been a creation of the beer companies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.