| Cinco de Mayo, celebrated throughout the United States and primarily in Puebla, Mexico (also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla), commemorates the military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. In 1861, nearly bankrupt from several wars, Mexican President Benito Juárez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for two years. In response, France, Spain and Britain sent naval forces in to the state of Veracruz, demanding reimbursement. Britain and Spain withdrew, however, France, then ruled by Napoleon III, attempted to establish a Latin empire in Mexico, the Second Mexican Empire. On May 5, 1862, under the command of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, a poorly equipped mestizo and Zapotec force defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City. The first Cinco de Mayo celebration took place in southern California in 1863. Besides the U.S. and Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in the Caribbean, Australia, and Canada, as well as in Latin countries. Los Angeles has the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world called Fiesta Broadway, with over half a million people attending this massive street party. Typical Cinco de Mayo celebrations include dancing, mariachi bands, Mexican food and drink, festivals and parades. Chandler, Arizona celebrates the traditional way, but also includes Chiuhuahua races which is much like horse races, except on a much smaller scale. We hope you all have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo, and that you all find a fun way to celebrate! |
