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
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- dennisg40 2012/05/06 21:11:06Legit Historical Holiday
+1Well in Texas they celebrate Cinco De Mayo which was when the the Mexicans defeated the French in 1862 what they don't tell you was it was over a debt they didn't want to pay the French. Odd thing they celebrate Cinco De Mayo with big parties but they don't seem to celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 16 that took a 11 year war to accomplish. Go figure.reply - Nat™ 2012/05/06 19:44:42Just an Excuse to DrinkBut don't rain on alcoholic's parade, people. lol.reply
- Elementer 2012/05/06 19:35:09Legit Historical Holiday+3Wow, the ignorance of people is overwhelming. Saying Cinco de Mayo is an excuse to drink it like saying the Fourth of July is an excuse to pop fire crackers. There's more to it than fun.reply
- joshua ben-ami 2012/05/06 19:31:45Just an Excuse to DrinkHick!!, hang on let me get another margarita, now what was that question again????reply
- ☆FritzW☆ 2012/05/06 19:30:05Just an Excuse to DrinkI'm not even sure how Americans got into it.. perhaps an advertising/marketing blitz by Corona or some other "Mexican" related product. I'm going to have to research that... some day. :)reply
- Jeremy Villa 2012/05/06 19:28:27Just an Excuse to Drink
Sorry folks, we don't celebrate it in the woods.
reply - Holland 2012/05/06 19:14:13Just an Excuse to DrinkIt is a commercialy induced holiday such as Valintine's Day,Mother's Day and such .If the War of Northern Agression had not been occurring at the time the US Forces would have been there to help the Mexicans and enforce the Monroe Doctrine.US forces would have been led by Southern Born Generals.reply
- Kaimeso 2012/05/06 19:07:14Just an Excuse to DrinkAny excuse for a party,... For many, CdM is as good as any,..reply
- Steve 2012/05/06 18:57:37
- kmay 2012/05/06 18:53:00Just an Excuse to DrinkIt isn't a Mexican holiday at all but rather an American one created by Latinos. Cinco de Mayo does indeed mark a Mexican military victory over the invading French army on May 5, 1862, BUT it's celebrated more in the United States because in 1862, U.S. Latinos of Mexican heritage parlayed the victory as a rallying cry that the Union could also win the Civil War.reply
- Hannah 2012/05/06 18:45:28Just an Excuse to DrinkNot to me but I asked other people and they said that answerreply
- MiinaNiemi03 2012/05/06 18:37:31Just an Excuse to DrinkIt's all baloney to me. Why do you need to have an excuse to drink? If you're old enough to drink, just do it! No need to justify it with a "holiday".reply
- King Anti-Christ 666 2012/05/06 18:07:33Legit Historical Holidaywell is a helladay to me to be honest , i mean i drink everyday anywaysreply
- tdterry1999 2012/05/06 18:00:06Just an Excuse to DrinkStupid Americansreply
- Paul 2012/05/06 17:28:23Just an Excuse to Drink+7But who needs an excuse to drink?! Let's get drunk!
reply - Beat Ma... Paul 2012/05/07 15:33:29+1And then eat waffles? Good lord, this would be the greatest holiday ever. In keeping with irrelevant traditions, I say that booze and waffles are to be consumed on a holiday that commemorates the battle of New Orleans during the war of 1812!reply
- ..tisha... 2012/05/06 16:25:33Just an Excuse to Drink+1A day celebrating some obscure battle in Mexico, NOT MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY. If you're going to drink on that day, at least know why you are drinking. And to Mexico, it's just another day.reply
- stevegt... ..tisha... 2012/05/06 18:17:24+1i didnt even know mexico was independant????i thought they still depended on the U.S.
reply - TKramar stevegt... 2012/05/07 06:49:21what do you think New Mexico is?reply
- EdWhiteSpace 2012/05/06 16:01:11Just an Excuse to Drink+2But what are legitimate holidays? Religiously based ones that all do not follow? Holidays made up and started by card companies (like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day)? Days to celebrate labor, or presidents, or national figures? All holidays are made up as reasons to celebrate, no?reply
- Mdog 2012/05/06 15:57:21 (edited)Legit Historical HolidayWell for mexicans it is mexican independence from france but for americans, drink away!reply
- Medulla... Mdog 2012/05/06 16:59:15+2It's not, actually. Mexican independence is in September, not May.reply
- Pops 2012/05/06 15:50:28Legit Historical HolidayMexican independence day isn't it ?reply
- Medulla... Pops 2012/05/06 16:59:34+2Nope. That's in September.reply
- Pops Medulla... 2012/05/06 20:51:49Then what is it ?reply
- Medulla... Pops 2012/05/06 21:28:33+1It's the day of the Battle of Puebla, essentially. Or, the day the Mexicans defeated the French. Really, though, Cinco de Mayo isn't even celebrated down in Mexico except for *maybe* in Puebla, where the original battle took place.reply
- Pops Medulla... 2012/05/06 21:30:12Oh yes I remember I was close. I knew it was from a victory.reply
- Myopinionmatters 2012/05/06 15:35:24Just an Excuse to Drink+2For America: Cinco de Drinko!!reply
- Andy 2012/05/06 15:21:06Just an Excuse to Drink+4Gives most people an EXTRA reason to drink... if the Mexicans find it a minor celebration, why do Americans promote...
reply - PumpkinMuncher 2012/05/06 15:19:01Just an Excuse to Drink+1In Mexico sure its a legit holiday, but here in America its another day for people to get drunkreply
- Sister Jean 2012/05/06 15:12:47Legit Historical Holiday+3if people know historyreply
- meho 2012/05/06 14:36:42Just an Excuse to Drink+2Why would anyone think any different??????reply
- LukeC 2012/05/06 14:27:55Legit Historical Holiday+4What about Paddys Day? Im Irish, but I know that day has just become the worlds biggest excuse to drink, celebrate your Irish heritage yeah right.reply
- Padding... LukeC 2012/05/06 15:44:14
- Anariashki 2012/05/06 14:24:01Just an Excuse to Drink+2As are all holidays.reply
- Christopher Kirchen 2012/05/06 14:13:46Legit Historical Holiday+1I always thought it was the Mexican independence day from Spain, and if that's the case, that makes it as legitimate as July 4.reply
- Andy Christo... 2012/05/06 15:22:43Nope...not anything to do with Spain... Francereply
- Medulla... Christo... 2012/05/06 17:00:54Mexican Independence Day is in September.reply
- merlinskiss 2012/05/06 14:11:58Just an Excuse to Drink+2I never saw anything to it. Reminds me of a Mexican St Patrick's day. Never figured out why driving beneficial animals like snakes out of Ireland was a good thing.reply
- LukeC merlins... 2012/05/06 14:28:39+2There were never snakes in Ireland..reply
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