history of cinco de mayo

Are you one of those uninformed Americans that still believes Cinco De Mayo is Mexican's Independence Day? Do you take advantage of the deals provided by your local taqueria every first weekend of May? Do you own a sombrero, specifically for this time of year?

Well, if I were you, I would smarten up a bit. Because that kind of behavior is offensive.

If you're going to appropriately celebrate another country's history, that's fine. But if you're just going to appropriate another culture's history as an excuse to get wasted....that's a different story.

If nothing else, at least learn what you're celebrating.

Let's start here. Repeat after me.

"Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day."

Very good, Suzie!

So, what is it?

Cinco de Mayo commemorates a Mexican win at the Battle of Puebla in 1862; a battle against France. Mexico had just gotten over a civil war in 1858 - so, many army members that would have been able to fight were now dead. And the ones who survived now had to rally together to fight on the same side as those who they so recently fought against.

To make matters worse, Mexico was broke! The civil war had depleted their financial supply, and Europe was taking advantage. The newly elected president at that time suspended all retribution of foreign debt. Instead of providing compassion, Europe instead took their weak state as an opportunity to raid them. While Spain and England withdrew relatively quickly, France led about 6,000 troops into Mexico to stay.

So when it came time for war at Puebla, all odds were against them.

But Mexico pulled through!

Though France went on to continue to win the war, the Battle of Puebla stands as one of the greatest victories of Mexican history. However, what you may not realize is that people in Mexico do not celebrate the holiday nearly as much as the rest of the world - particularly, ahem, the United States.

So before you double fist a Corona and a Margarita and walk around drunkenly shouting in broken Spanish, first learn why you're celebrating.