Cinco de Mayo: It’s more than just a day on the calendar

LAUREN OYLER/Hurricane

By Alisha Bentley
Sherman High School

In English, Cinco de Mayo means the fifth of May, which is the day Mexicans celebrate their victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Many Americans mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but it’s not; the Battle of Puebla was fought more than 50 years after Mexico declared its independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1810.

Even though the Mexicans were eventually defeated by the French, the Battle of Puebla served as a huge inspiration for them.

It all began because the Mexican government was unable to maintain financial obligations. President Benito Juarez essentially declared bankruptcy and offered to repay the country’s many debts slowly. Britain, France and Spain didn’t accept that offer and sent troops to Mexico. Juarez was able to reach an agreement with Britain and Spain but not France.

The French army was confident because it had not been defeated in decades. When the soldiers arrived in Mexico, they marched towards its capitol, Mexico City. Along the way, they had to pass through the state of Puebla, where the Mexicans, who were largely outnumbered, attacked and defeated them.

Though the victory was a small one, it was an important moral victory. Later that year, President Juarez declared May 5 a national holiday — Battle of Puebla Day, or Cinco de Mayo.

Though not everyone in Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo now, the celebrations that do occur are quite festive. They’re full of activity, and the colors of the Mexican flag - red, white and green - can be seen everywhere.

At Cinco de Mayo celebrations, you’ll find Mexican food, mariachi music, dancing, parades and piñatas. The day ends with a fireworks display.

The Mexican president also gives a speech that day. It is televised nationwide just like all the speeches that President Bush gives here.

In Puebla, they have re-enactments of the battle, which are very similar to the Civil War re-enactments that take place in the U.S. In them, the men dress up as French and Mexican soldiers, and the women portray the people who cared and cooked for the soldiers.

In the United States, some cities also celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There are carnivals, street fairs and multi-day festivals during the first week of May, especially in Southwestern cities.