This Saturday is the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, but unlike popular belief it does not celebrate Mexico’s independence. (That would be on September 16th). Beer adverts aside, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862 when Mexican forces beat the French military in the city of Puebla. (Mexico had been under French control from 1862 to 1867).There have been a number of key military battles over the past two centuries that took place in the Americas that are still remembered. Here are some of them (with the help of Wikipedia):
* Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot (1802) - One of the first major battles in the Haitian Revolution. Though the French would win the battle, Haitian rebels ultimately prevailed after the French suffered massive losses.
* Battle of Chacabuco (1817) - Despite being outnumbered by nearly a 3:1 margin, Jose de San Martin and Bernardo O’Higgins led Chilean forces against the Spanish in this battle fought just outside Santiago.
* Battle of Boyacá (1819) - El Libertador Simón Bolivar commanded about 3000 soldiers including “a small British Legion” in this battle which would assure independence for Nueva Granada.
* Battle of Ayacucho (1824) - This was the decisive battle for Peru’s independence; as a result of the Independence army’s victory, Spanish forces agreed to leave Peru.
* Battle of Cerro Corá (1870) - The final battle in the brutal War of the Triple Alliance which would lead to Brazilian occupation of Paraguay for several years.
* Battle of Celaya (1915) - “The single bloodiest battle of the Mexican Revolution” which led to the beginning of the end for Pancho Villa’s forces.
* Battle of Carrizal (1916) - Battle between U.S. Expeditionary Forces and Pancho Villa’s troops nearly led to a war between Mexico and their northern neighbors.
* Battle of Yaguajay (1958) - A turning point in the Cuban revolution; the battle was won by rebel forces led by Fidel Castro and would soon lead to the end of Fulgencio Batista’s rule in Cuba.
Links- Wikipedia, National Geographic, Mexidata.info, PBS
Image- Answers.com
20 comments:
Hi, just came across your blog, Nice Blog!.
Cinco de Mayo, is no different than other celebrations that have mainstreamed and lost their original meaning ie ( Calle Ocho, Italian American Parade, StPartick's Day, Christmas ).
I welcome you and your readers to my blog at corgiguyblog.blogspot.com
Related: our post on Columbus Day
The account on "The Latin Americanist" of the Battle of Cerro Cora is grossly in error. Brazil had been independent of Portugal for a long time, and the war of the Triple Alliance began when Paraguay attempted to prevent Brazil from conquering Uruguay (probably figuring they would be next). I am afraid I don't usually check all the "facts" published by "the Latin Americanist". But I see now that I ought to.
Anonymous- You're absolutely right on my original mistake. The post has been corrected, and thanks for pointing out the error.
corgiguy- Thanks for your kind words; I'll be sure to peruse your blog.
"Mark"- Since your comment has nothing to do with the subject it was deleted. Next time, please try to stick to the topic of the post.
Cinco De Mayo is nothing more than an excuse to sell beer to illegal aliens in America. No one cares one bit about Cinco De Mayo here. Secondly, in the USA, Cinco De Mayo is made fun of by saying Stinko In De Mayo i.e. The mayonnaise smells.
Just an FYI regarding Cinco De Mayo, erwin.
Thanks for staying on topic, but your explanation makes no sense. If what you say is correct then how come Cinco de Msyo is celebrated in the U.S. as a day for drinking a la St. patrick's Day? (Not just illegal immigrants, or only immigrants, for that matter).
And if "no one cares" about Cinco... then why so much emphasis on drinking and why are their cultural events celebrating the day? (Or an both at the same time if your near some college campuses)!
Misspelling- *(Or both at....
Erwin, maybe I need to explain what I was trying to say a bit more. Cinco Dy Mayo is a beer holiday for illegal aliens in the southern part of the USA. Only a few American Citizens even care about the holiday, but many illegals do and some who are sympathetic to illegals join in who typically are US hispanics. Why should Americans as a whole care one bit about a holiday held in mexico? It's very doubtful that mexicans celebrate the July 4th US independence holiday we greatly respect.
I think at this point, I should mention that we in the USA do not view mexico as a friend. Mexico is highly corrupt and doing all it can to undermine our system of laws with regards to our borders and immigration. The university of mexico handed out specially programmed GPS units to illegals, and prospective illegals. These GPS units helped would be illegals get through the more remote areas away from our border patrol. mexico is not our friend at all. Mexico is an enemy, but a subtle one.
Wow, Marks even got the "stinko de mayo" joke wrong. The joke is that the holiday is actually "Sihn-ko de Mayo" referring to a fabled sunken ship carrying mayonaise to Mexico. More importantly, both mark and erwin underestimate the origin of this holiday in U.S.A. The first to celebrate the holiday in the U.S. as you mention were illegal and legal immigrants, but they weren't just in search for a good excuse to drink, nor were they being exploited by Corona which only started expaning into the u.s in 1997. To be sure they were celebrating the defeat at Puebla. Not just the defeat but its implications for North America. At the time Napolean was courting delegates from the confederate states as well as training generals to retake Quebec and canada. It was common knowledge that had he been succesful in mexico, canada, and supported the backing of the south in our civil war, he could have easily extended his rule over continental north america.
The illegal immigrants in california and arizona were celebrating (and yes, perhaps exagerrating) the inertia that those heroes near Puebla had stopped. In other words they were celebrating heros of mexico, as well as the perseverance of america. But I guess that is a good reason to toast to! Salud!
Mark- "Ignonrance is bliss". Which is why I'm sure you're very happy with your warped perspective.
Anonymous- I thought Stinko... had to do with the odor of beer-induced vomit, but I guess that's historically inaccurate!
Thanks for your respective comment.
Stinko in De Mayo is a very well understood interpretation of Cinco De Mayo in North Central Texas. Your crowd of commie/libs may be of a different point of view, however, that does not change our interpretation of the mexican holiday.
As I stated before, it would be very interesting to see how many mexicans in mexico celebrate the 4th of July, our independence day. Without a doubt, very few if any do unless they are Americans living in those dangerous retirement areas south of the increasingly militarized border with mexico.
Let me make this perfectly clear for those who may not understand my view on things mexican. Texans who love Texas and the USA also love our independence from mexico. We salute Sam Houston, and the Texians who died setting us free from the grip of that thugs who ran mexico city. I don't know a single Texans who considers mexico anything short of a full fledged enemy. Mexico is not our friend. It works to undermine our national laws by issuing GPS units and maps to would be illegals. The CIA reports that the mexican system of government is corrupt and involved in the drug trade from the very bottom to the very top.
The near riot at MacArthur park in LA sets the stage for the future. Americans and Texans fully understand that there is a large militant anti-America movement with the latin community. We listen carefully to the racists within La Raza Unida, and LULAC, along with other similar orgs. We keep tabs on what they are saying, and what the antagonists of the movement have to say about America, Americans, and Reconquista.
The media and internet contain a phrase that is being used more regularly now. The phrase is Civil War. No good American or Texan wants to see violence break out over who is going to control the future of the USA. That is why we use the popular vote rather than weapons to make those decisions, however, the militancy of the anti-America movement seems to be growing. Mexicans seem to think that the USA is theres for the taking, and some think they can take over the country. Some think that dumb ol Americans will just sit idle and let that happen. Mexicans who think like that are certainly unaware of the nature of the sleeping giant. If mexicans start fighting against the USA for any cause, what took Sam Houston 18 minutes will take Americans about 8 minutes to resolve. Let it be well understood that Americans do not in any way want a battle with angry mexicans who think someone owes them something. We don't owe anyone anything except in the case of many illegals. We owe them a free trip to jail or the border where they will be deported at the end of a boot. America does not belong to anyone but Americans. We love our language, or borders, and our culture. We intend to maintain those very well, though the sleeping giant hasn't been provoked to wake up from his slumber, please do not invade our country. Please do not rape our nations safety net. Please do not over stay your visa. And please don't even think about starting a fight with Americans.
Looks like this topic has died. Lets discuss how Conservatives are going to defeat the insane so called immigration reform bill
Tracey, you were right! Conservatives did beat down the insane immigration bill. Thankfully.
GO HOME ILLEGALS. WE DON.T WANT YOU IN AMERICA.
Re;
Your posting that, "(Mexico had been under French control from 1862 to 1867)."
My comment:
"had"? Youre suggesting that Cinco turned the French around AFTER occupying Mexico? No.
The French dusted themselves off from the loss on Cinco, 1862 and WENT ON THEN, AFTER(!) CINCO to occupy Mexico.
CINCO HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE OCCUPATION by THE FRENCH, not at the end of the occupation.
Matt McLaughlin
Santa Barbara, Ca
lochlannmatt@yahoo.com
love it that 12 million Mexicans in USA with guns and all learn in 2nd grade that US stole [for 15 million bux) in 1847 what was theres, just as what happened to indigenous peoples
Mark, what a xenophobic ignoramus you are typical remarks of the arrogant,greedy obese people in USA now
bet you have never been out of your county or you are a brainwashed military intelligence type sic....
hey dude, it didnt help me that much. peace out !
HEY TRACEY why you want to talk about the imigritation bill. you know I'm a latino.
Hey, like us MEXICANS really offend your "Country"? Now that people are getting along with African-Americans you move on and hate on Mexicans? Wow, pathetic..dont get me wrong i love America, but why do you have to control everyone elce?..
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