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What is Cinco de Mayo? Your quick guide to Mexican-American celebration | |
(1 day later) | |
Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican equivalent of St Patrick's Day in the United States: a celebration of Mexico's culture, heritage, and a good excuse to party. But, before you get the rounds of tequila shots started, this is what you need to know about the ultimate Mexican-American fiesta. | Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican equivalent of St Patrick's Day in the United States: a celebration of Mexico's culture, heritage, and a good excuse to party. But, before you get the rounds of tequila shots started, this is what you need to know about the ultimate Mexican-American fiesta. |
No, it's not Mexico's Independence Day. That's 16 September. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") celebrates the Mexican victory over the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. | No, it's not Mexico's Independence Day. That's 16 September. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") celebrates the Mexican victory over the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. |
Crippled by a costly civil war between Conservatives and Liberals, Mexico defaulted on its foreign debt in 1861. European superpowers Spain, Britain, and France launched a joint occupation to force the Mexican authorities to pay. | Crippled by a costly civil war between Conservatives and Liberals, Mexico defaulted on its foreign debt in 1861. European superpowers Spain, Britain, and France launched a joint occupation to force the Mexican authorities to pay. |
The three nations arrived in the port city of Veracruz later that year. Spain and Britain brokered a deal and agreed to leave, but the French stayed, forcing the Juarez government into retreat. | The three nations arrived in the port city of Veracruz later that year. Spain and Britain brokered a deal and agreed to leave, but the French stayed, forcing the Juarez government into retreat. |
Wishing to carve an empire in Mexico, the French army advanced towards Mexico City but were encountered by a small and poorly armed militiamen led by 33-year old General Ignacio Zaragoza in Puebla. | Wishing to carve an empire in Mexico, the French army advanced towards Mexico City but were encountered by a small and poorly armed militiamen led by 33-year old General Ignacio Zaragoza in Puebla. |
Against all odds, the vastly outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexicans fortified the town, held their lines and the French army was forced to retreat. | Against all odds, the vastly outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexicans fortified the town, held their lines and the French army was forced to retreat. |
The victory of Puebla was huge boost of morale for the Juarez government and became a symbol of Mexico's resistance movement against the French opressor. | The victory of Puebla was huge boost of morale for the Juarez government and became a symbol of Mexico's resistance movement against the French opressor. |
The French eventually left Mexico in 1866. | The French eventually left Mexico in 1866. |
Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations usually take in place in Puebla, southeast of Mexico City, where General Zaragoza defeated the French. But, for most Mexicans, Cinco de Mayo is a day like any other: banks, offices and stores are open. It is not a national holiday. | Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations usually take in place in Puebla, southeast of Mexico City, where General Zaragoza defeated the French. But, for most Mexicans, Cinco de Mayo is a day like any other: banks, offices and stores are open. It is not a national holiday. |
Regarded as a celebration of Mexican culture and Hispanic heritage, Cinco de Mayo is a much bigger holiday in the US than it is in Mexico. Cities with a large Mexican population, such as Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago, hold parades and traditional Mexican music. | Regarded as a celebration of Mexican culture and Hispanic heritage, Cinco de Mayo is a much bigger holiday in the US than it is in Mexico. Cities with a large Mexican population, such as Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago, hold parades and traditional Mexican music. |
Get the party started with margaritas, tequila, mariachi music and Mexican cuisine. | Get the party started with margaritas, tequila, mariachi music and Mexican cuisine. |
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