Cinco de Mayo
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Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which occurs on September 16.
<table class="infobox" style="width: 22em; text-align: left; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.5em;" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" class="" style="text-align: center; font-size: 125%; font-weight: bold; background-color: transparent;">Cinco de Mayo</th> </tr> <tr class=""> <td colspan="2" class="" style="text-align: center;">
Battle of Puebla</td> </tr> <tr class=""> <th style="text-align: left;">Observed by</th> <td class="" style="">
Cinco de Mayo is not "an obligatory federal holiday" in Mexico, but rather a holiday that can be observed voluntarily.<sup id="cite_ref-list_4-0" class="reference">[5]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-globe_5-0" class="reference">[6]</sup> While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States (also voluntarily) and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference">[7]</sup> Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day,<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference">[8]</sup> which actually is September 16,<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference">[9]</sup> the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference">[10]</sup>
<table id="toc" class="toc"> <tbody><tr> <td> Contents
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ if (window.showTocToggle) ** var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); } //]]> </script> History
In 1861, Benito Juarez stopped making interest payments to countries that Mexico owed money to. In response, France<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference">[11]</sup> attacked Mexico to force payment of this debt. France decided that it would try to take over and occupy Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference">[12]</sup> France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In the Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on Mexico City. A year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico in 1864. The French, under pressure from the United States, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867. Maximilian was deposed by President Benito Juarez and executed, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. "This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years."<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference">[13]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference">[14]</sup> Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla no country in the Americas has been invaded by an army from another continent.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference">[15]</sup>
History of observance
Cinco de Mayo dancers greeted by President George W. Bush.
According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on the people of the world that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-0" class="reference">[16]</sup> The 2007 paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-1" class="reference">[16]</sup>
Observances
Mexico
Cinco de Mayo is a regional holiday limited primarily to the state of Puebla. There is some limited recognition of the holiday in other parts of the country.<sup id="cite_ref-MexOnLine_16-0" class="reference">[17]</sup> For the most part the celebrations combine food, music, and dancing.
United States
Cinco de Mayo performers at the White House
In the United States Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-2" class="reference">[16]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference">[18]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-go_18-0" class="reference">[19]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-mn_19-0" class="reference">[20]</sup> The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry respectively. Similar to those holidays, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, including César Chávez.<sup id="cite_ref-Ahorre_20-0" class="reference">[21]</sup> To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include baile folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages,<sup id="cite_ref-times_21-0" class="reference">[22]</sup> foods, and music.<sup id="cite_ref-Alb_22-0" class="reference">[23]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-Corona_23-0" class="reference">[24]</sup>
Elsewhere
Cinco de Mayo celebration in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Events tied to Cinco de Mayo also occur outside Mexico and the United States. For example, a sky-diving club near Vancouver, Canada holds a Cinco de Mayo skydiving event.<sup id="cite_ref-Vanc_24-0" class="reference">[25]</sup> In the Cayman Islands, in the Caribbean, there is an annual Cinco de Mayo air guitar competition.<sup id="cite_ref-Cayman_25-0" class="reference">[26]</sup> As far away as the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, revelers are encouraged to drink Mexican beer on May 5.<sup id="cite_ref-Malta_26-0" class="reference">[27]</sup>
Popular culture references
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
<!-- start content -->
Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which occurs on September 16.
<table class="infobox" style="width: 22em; text-align: left; font-size: 88%; line-height: 1.5em;" cellspacing="5"> <tbody><tr> <th colspan="2" class="" style="text-align: center; font-size: 125%; font-weight: bold; background-color: transparent;">Cinco de Mayo</th> </tr> <tr class=""> <td colspan="2" class="" style="text-align: center;">
Battle of Puebla</td> </tr> <tr class=""> <th style="text-align: left;">Observed by</th> <td class="" style="">
- US Americans, mixed nationality
- citizens of Puebla, Puebla
- Regional celebration in Mexico of battle victory.
- Celebration in the United States of Mexican-American culture and experiences. Only somewhat celebrated in Mexico.
- Food, music, folkloric dancing
Cinco de Mayo is not "an obligatory federal holiday" in Mexico, but rather a holiday that can be observed voluntarily.<sup id="cite_ref-list_4-0" class="reference">[5]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-globe_5-0" class="reference">[6]</sup> While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States (also voluntarily) and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference">[7]</sup> Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day,<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference">[8]</sup> which actually is September 16,<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference">[9]</sup> the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference">[10]</sup>
<table id="toc" class="toc"> <tbody><tr> <td> Contents
[hide]
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ if (window.showTocToggle) ** var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); } //]]> </script> History
In 1861, Benito Juarez stopped making interest payments to countries that Mexico owed money to. In response, France<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference">[11]</sup> attacked Mexico to force payment of this debt. France decided that it would try to take over and occupy Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference">[12]</sup> France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In the Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on Mexico City. A year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico in 1864. The French, under pressure from the United States, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867. Maximilian was deposed by President Benito Juarez and executed, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons. First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. "This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years."<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference">[13]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference">[14]</sup> Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla no country in the Americas has been invaded by an army from another continent.<sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference">[15]</sup>
History of observance
Cinco de Mayo dancers greeted by President George W. Bush.
According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on the people of the world that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-0" class="reference">[16]</sup> The 2007 paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-1" class="reference">[16]</sup>
Observances
Mexico
Cinco de Mayo is a regional holiday limited primarily to the state of Puebla. There is some limited recognition of the holiday in other parts of the country.<sup id="cite_ref-MexOnLine_16-0" class="reference">[17]</sup> For the most part the celebrations combine food, music, and dancing.
United States
Cinco de Mayo performers at the White House
In the United States Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.<sup id="cite_ref-UCLA_15-2" class="reference">[16]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference">[18]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-go_18-0" class="reference">[19]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-mn_19-0" class="reference">[20]</sup> The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry respectively. Similar to those holidays, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, including César Chávez.<sup id="cite_ref-Ahorre_20-0" class="reference">[21]</sup> To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include baile folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages,<sup id="cite_ref-times_21-0" class="reference">[22]</sup> foods, and music.<sup id="cite_ref-Alb_22-0" class="reference">[23]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-Corona_23-0" class="reference">[24]</sup>
Elsewhere
Cinco de Mayo celebration in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Events tied to Cinco de Mayo also occur outside Mexico and the United States. For example, a sky-diving club near Vancouver, Canada holds a Cinco de Mayo skydiving event.<sup id="cite_ref-Vanc_24-0" class="reference">[25]</sup> In the Cayman Islands, in the Caribbean, there is an annual Cinco de Mayo air guitar competition.<sup id="cite_ref-Cayman_25-0" class="reference">[26]</sup> As far away as the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, revelers are encouraged to drink Mexican beer on May 5.<sup id="cite_ref-Malta_26-0" class="reference">[27]</sup>
Popular culture references
- Bob Dylan's song "Isis" references the date at the very beginning by narrating the title character's marriage, with the lyrics "on the fifth day of May...."
- The band War had a minor hit with a track called "Cinco de Mayo," from their 1982 album Outlaw.
- Ween refers to Cinco de Mayo in the song "Buenas Tardes Amigo."
- The waltzing song "Mexico" from Cake's Prolonging the Magic album mentions Cinco de Mayo.
- Fighting game Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior, set in the fictional Mexican-American city of Glasshill, has one stage called "Cinco de Mayo," which draws clear inspiration from this event (this is the only stage in the game to have no background music; instead, the sound of the parade running at the stage's background serves as the stage's theme).
- Herb Alpert recorded a song called "Cinco de Mayo," which was the B-side of his hit "Spanish Flea."<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference">[28]</sup>
- Liz Phair included a song called "Cinco de Mayo" on her Whip-Smart album in 1994.
- American post-hardcore band Senses Fail included a song called "Cinco de Mayo" as a bonus track for its second album Still Searching
- 5 Second Films created a Cinco de Mayo movie called Don't Thinko de Mayo.
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