Cinco de Mayo: Legit Historical Holiday or Just an Excuse to Drink?
SodaHead Living
2012/05/05 20:40:11
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Most Americans have no idea why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. But that sure doesn’t stop them from enjoying the party!
Celebrations of the spring holiday are widespread and incredibly varied. They include pub crawls, ballet folklorico performances, street fairs, mariachi concerts, block parties, and specials on Mexican food and drinks. But they rarely include any reference to the original reason for the holiday—the 1862 Battle of Puebla, during which a small, Mexican army defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III.
Interestingly, Cinco de Mayo is basically a non-event in Mexico. The historical battle is commemorated in Puebla, though not everywhere in the country. And it’s definitely not celebrated with the kind of drinking and debauchery that have led many in the U.S. to refer to the holiday as Cinco de Drinko or Drinko de Mayo.
So why do Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo with such fanfare?
Well, according to UCLA Professor David Hayes-Bautista, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the United States dates back to Latinos in the West during the American Civil War.
"It was all created in this country, by Latinos who supported freedom and racial equality and who were opposed to slavery, supremacy and the exclusion by government," he said.
"The news of the Mexican victory over the French Army in Puebla were celebrated, not only immediately after it happened, but every year during the Civil War. That is the origin of why we celebrate the Cinco de Mayo," added Hayes-Bautista.
However, since then, Americans have become incredibly disconnected from the origins of the event. Many confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, which takes place on September 16. These days, many Mexican-Americans use the holiday to showcase their ethnic identity, while many other Americans use the holiday as an excuse to get drunk and enjoy the nice weather.
What do you think SodaHeads? Is Cinco de Mayo a legit historical holiday or just an excuse to drink?
Celebrations of the spring holiday are widespread and incredibly varied. They include pub crawls, ballet folklorico performances, street fairs, mariachi concerts, block parties, and specials on Mexican food and drinks. But they rarely include any reference to the original reason for the holiday—the 1862 Battle of Puebla, during which a small, Mexican army defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III.
Interestingly, Cinco de Mayo is basically a non-event in Mexico. The historical battle is commemorated in Puebla, though not everywhere in the country. And it’s definitely not celebrated with the kind of drinking and debauchery that have led many in the U.S. to refer to the holiday as Cinco de Drinko or Drinko de Mayo.
So why do Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo with such fanfare?
Well, according to UCLA Professor David Hayes-Bautista, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the United States dates back to Latinos in the West during the American Civil War.
"It was all created in this country, by Latinos who supported freedom and racial equality and who were opposed to slavery, supremacy and the exclusion by government," he said.
"The news of the Mexican victory over the French Army in Puebla were celebrated, not only immediately after it happened, but every year during the Civil War. That is the origin of why we celebrate the Cinco de Mayo," added Hayes-Bautista.
However, since then, Americans have become incredibly disconnected from the origins of the event. Many confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, which takes place on September 16. These days, many Mexican-Americans use the holiday to showcase their ethnic identity, while many other Americans use the holiday as an excuse to get drunk and enjoy the nice weather.
What do you think SodaHeads? Is Cinco de Mayo a legit historical holiday or just an excuse to drink?
Read More: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP393b41297baf4cd48b...
Top Opinion
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Medulla Oblongata 2012/05/05 21:29:46Just an Excuse to Drink
VETERANS DAY,
INDEPENDENCE DAY,
MEMORIAL DAY....
those are holidays....
pARTy On! USA ...
It is just a day for people to use in justifying their excessive drinking on that day. Nobody cares why it is a holiday, they just want to eat excessive amounts of Mexican-style food and drink excessive alcohol.
Side note: I hope that picture isn't recent. That idiot is pregnant now and her genes alone put that child at a disadvantage - shouldn't ever add alcohol to the pregnancy mix.
It is kind of like Canada celebrating America's victory at the battle of Concord as opposed to independence on the 4th of July (which they technically wouldn't because Canada was allied with the British and is still part of the commonwealth).
Besides, I don't need a special day to get stupefied out of my mind and act like a pig...
If I could have marked both I would have. Mexico doesn't celebrate July 4th in their country, so I don't understand why we're just gung ho on celebrating their holidays. If it wasn't for the huge latin american population in USA we wouldn't give two farts about the holiday. It is a legit historical Mexican Holiday though.