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
Nevertheless, here in Mexico, it's just another day
And I've always wondered, why the hell does the US celebrate Cinco de Mayo, when frankly, no one here in Mexico does
The debt caused by the war ulimately led to the French Intervention, where the batlle of Puebla, the 5th of May of1862, took place. So putting the pieces together, such succulent cakes led to a war...
And well, yes, Napoleon III had some interest in reviving a Mexican Empire, under the command of Maximilian I of Austria.
The battle of Puebla was the 5th of May of 1862.