(Please, stop with the “it’s Mexico’s Independence Day.” No, it’s not. La independencia de México falls on September 16 and the carelessness toward history from some people out there is offensive.)
The digital news media outlet AJ+ created a short video that will be useful for you to learn a little bit (and be intrigued to learn more!) of what went down on May 5, 1862 in the Mexican state of Puebla. El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, as it is known in Mexico, involves the French occupation in the Latin American country.
Is it too much to ask that Cinco de Mayo celebrations don’t involve wearing big ass sombreros, ponchos, a large mustache, or saying the word “andale” repeatedly? Just saying.
Also, as I am sure this celebration breaks through the barriers of political beliefs and negative sentiment toward immigration reform, a great way to truly celebrate this cultural exchange would be to start treating Mexican and other immigrants from across the border better.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2015.
So, you are saying that I need to learn more about Mexican culture than can be gleaned from Speedy Gonzales cartoons? What, are they even allowed to teach that in schools these days?
It also happens to fall on a solar calendar “cross quarter” day, and since we know that the Aztec and Maya were sun worshippers, then it follows that they probably had their own festival on that day. This underground festival day was probably looking for a modern excuse, in the same way that the Catholic Church co-opted existing pagan holidays in Europe and Britain, (i.e. Beltaine).
One more significant day turned into a money making venture…..so what else is new? Andale!
We can rename it “open borders” day. We 21st century Americans feel guilty for living in such a wonderful country, please take it from us.
We have elected officials willing to pay them to take it from us. Stay lazy my friends….
I have been saying the same for years, that and the fact that the “holiday” is celebrated in the US and not in Mexico. Makes one wonder who’s “holiday” this actually is.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/what-cinco-de-mayo-really-celebrates.html
This is the best explanation that I can find. Mexico reneged on it’s loans from foreign countries. France in particular. May 5 is celebrated as the day the Mexico defeated it’s creditor who was trying to collect on a bad debt.
At least they were smart enough to default on the French. Anybody else might have beaten them. Deadbeat borrowers.
If the was ever a URL that summed you up, Rat.
God bless you Peabo. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
“Is it too much to ask that Cinco de Mayo celebrations don’t involve wearing big ass sombreros, ponchos, a large mustache”
I hope we don’t see you in a green hat or wearing a green shamrock on St Patty’s day! Or wearing lederhosen during Oktoberfest! Or painting your face during the bastardized American Dia de los Muretas parades! Or dressing up like a pilgrim during Thanksgiving! And on and on….
I have lived in Mexico on and off many times and I have partied at too many local and national fiestas. Sombreros, Mustaches and Ponchos are always a big part of any fiesta down there both in their authentic form and with Mexicans dressing up for fun. Don’t project your American-Chicano-ized perspectives on those of us who still know how to have fun and do not get offended by aspects of our culture that others want to emulate!
Get over yourself.
Viva Mexico! Viva EEUU!