Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

40 Comments

• Comment by wendy — May 9, 2007 @ 1:28 pm

  

  5 de mayo is a very special holiday all mexicans and im proud of being mexican

• Comment by Alex — May 9, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

  

  I think you missed my point Wendy. It does make good sense to me that Mexicans celebrate it… but I see a lot more white american kids celebrating it than I do Mexicans, and that doesn’t make any sense.

  Interestingly though, it’s not even a federal holiday in Mexico, it’s a regional thing. Mainly only Peubla celebrate.

• Comment by Sean — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

  

  Hi Alex.

  I agree that most average-joe American’s really shouldn’t be celebrating it… and like you pointed out, most Americans don’t even know what the day is about… they just think “whoo hooo… beer and salsa… lets party”.

  On May 5, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Yeah, I’m American

• Comment by Alex — May 9, 2007 @ 2:29 pm

  

  I am all for beer and salsa, but I don’t think I need an excuse for it.

  Whoo-hoo, it’s wednesday, Beer and salsa tonight!

• Comment by janet — May 10, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

  

  I’am mexican, but my family and i don’t celebrate 5 de mayo. i just think that the ones that have to celebrate is puebla after all they were the ones winning the battle.many mexican’s don’t even know what they are celebrating they just want to get drunk.If you ask mexican’s what are they celebrating many will say that they are celebrating mexico’s independents i just think that is relly stupid to celebrate something that you don’t even know what it means.

• Comment by Alex — May 10, 2007 @ 2:58 pm

  

  Thanks a lot Janet. I was wondering if this was the case or not after reading up on it a bit, but I was afraid if I put out that theory I’d get the racist card played on me since I’m about as white american as they come.

  It’s good to know that I’m not the only one a bit confused!

• Comment by Nicky D — May 2, 2008 @ 4:35 pm

  

  Cinco De mayo is something to be proud of. It’s your heritage. it is what and who you are. I’m stoned and drunk so don’t pay any attention to me…. I just wanted to sound smart for a minute

• Comment by Rosa — May 4, 2008 @ 11:23 am

  

  I consider my self a mexican-american being born here in Texas. I don’t normally or hardly ever celebrate cinco de mayo. I do hate though non mexican people talking about celebrating WHY?, would I celebrate Saint Patrick’s day NO. But then there are those who celebrate the birthday of donkey from Winnie Pooh.

• Comment by sexymami — May 5, 2008 @ 8:46 am

  

  i knw this is hard 2said but i actually agree with you gurl wendy -nd- am also proud 2 b mexicana.cuz i am….!!!!!;]

• Comment by enamorada — May 5, 2008 @ 8:54 am

  

  i love margarito and hi love me too!!!we we r going out ok wendy he is cheating on u!!!!!

• Comment by Webster-Legs — May 5, 2008 @ 11:44 am

  

  My wife is from Mexico and she never celebrated the holiday. I believe Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated in the U.S. mainly for economical reasons. It’s like Valentine’s Day. I love my wife everyday–I don’t need a special day to show my love for her by buying her a dozen roses. These holidays are celebrated to help businesses make money. Instead of Cinco de Mayo, why don’t we celebrate Sept. 15, Mexico’s Independence?

• Comment by Webster-Legs — May 5, 2008 @ 12:37 pm

  

  sorry their day of independence is on Sept. 16th.

• Comment by Cosmo — May 5, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

  

  this infomation was really helpful

• Comment by David — May 5, 2008 @ 2:26 pm

  

  The reason white Americans celebrate it is because we helped expel the french from Mexico. These French soldiers were also to supply the Confederate soldiers with weopons that could have changed the outcome of the civil war.

• Comment by jessy — May 5, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

  

  i celebrate it especially in school me and my friend last year had planed the party and the teacher said ya its kewl so we had pinatas dancing me and my friend had danced and we told evryone the meaning of it too i thought it was fun so it was fun we had dip and chips……………….

• Comment by jacy — May 5, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

  

  i really didnt know that LOL

• Comment by creytisha — May 5, 2008 @ 7:04 pm

  

  I love CINCO DE MAYO It’s my fav hoilday!!!!!! ;- )

• Comment by rael — May 7, 2008 @ 11:47 pm

  

  there is reason for both mexicans and americans to celebrate this holiday if it would have not been for the defeat of the french in this battle Napoleon would have come up to the united states and started an invasion so you see there is reason to celebrate it

• Comment by nacy — May 8, 2008 @ 10:55 am

  

  i got Drunk

• Comment by nacy — May 13, 2008 @ 11:14 am

  

  were kinda asain black mexicans

  me and my sister us asains

  our parents loved alot of ppl

• Comment by Lisa — September 1, 2008 @ 1:41 pm

  

  Although Cinco de Mayo is celebrated amongst many Americans, many do not realize that the Mexican Independence Day is actually Sept 16 which is the mosty important patriotic holiday in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla; however, May 5th is observed in the US and other locations in the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride so drink away! Cheers!

  Lisa

• Comment by Carlos — November 15, 2008 @ 12:13 pm

  

  5 de Mayo is a national celebration in México. This is due to a battle fought in Puebla, México, where General Zaragoza, comanding 10,000 mexican soldiers with scarcity of ammo and supplies, defeated a french invation army that had 8,000 men. After that defeat the frenches sent over mexico 30,000 more soldiers to take over the country.
  Why americans celebreate?? Probably because that was the last time some european empire tried to colonize an american country. From that day on, european knew they were no longer coming to conquer, but to fight open war against modern nations. Plus americans didn’t like to have those frenches around, for their army was told to be the best in the world at that time…

• Comment by arantza — February 17, 2009 @ 3:54 pm

  

  mmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ggggggggggggggguuuuusssssssssssstttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  eeeeeeeeeeesssssssssooooooooooo¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

• Comment by stephenspm — April 22, 2009 @ 9:06 am

  

  i think that 5 de mayo is a good celebration

• Comment by nana — April 23, 2009 @ 11:57 am

  

  this is stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  i dont celebrate this and i am half mexican. psh i ratha celebrate something else. this is idk. w.e.

• Comment by Imogene — May 3, 2009 @ 7:42 am

  

  I think Cinco de Mayo deserves recognition and observance in the United States so that we are all reminded of the significance of this day for both Mexican and Americans. However, I do NOT think it should be a holiday for the school kids. It makes no sense since most parents do not have the day off. I would wager that most kids do not even know why they are off.

• Comment by Bill — May 3, 2009 @ 11:11 am

  

  Most Mexicans (in Mexico) do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is a regional holiday, mainly celebrated in the state of Puebla. For Americans it’s just an an excuse to party and is celebrated more than in all of Mexico. Mostly by the young and ill-informed. Maybe we should celebrate April 21st, the Battle of San Jacinto. Remember the Alamo!

• Comment by Rick — May 3, 2009 @ 8:53 pm

  

  I went out last night for dinner in our downtown area and I have to say I was a bit scared and disturbed. Cinco de Mayo which was the war between Mexico and France is commerated here in the United States. I believe though that like any other day, there should be some control. Last night in downtown Modesto, California there were 100′s of cars with Mexican flags cruising and jumping up and down with hydrolics. #1 cruising is typically not allowed in this city. #2 yesterday was not cinco de Mayo #3 yelling out car window, “Viva la Mexico!” to people who are trying to get a nice romantic dinner ruins the night. I just think it is very inconsiderate. We are celebrating a day here that is not celebrated in Mexico. In addition cinco de Mayo is no longer a one day festival, it is turning ito a week long event. I understand a controlled parade with with wonderful mexican foods and folklore dancing on cinco de mayo itself. Last night was not that it was cars with mexican flags shouting out so many things I can’t repeat that I was offended with, girls walking down the sidewalk were being verbally harassed by the Mexican men in the cars. Cops were pulling over those that they could catch but there were more cars then cops. I understand the philosophy that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated too but do we see huge IRISH flags waving outside of cards and Irish men shouting drunk talk out of their cars? I have not once seen that. All I have to say is, where is the respect and control! Every year it gets worse and worse.

• Comment by Johnnie Ace — May 5, 2009 @ 6:08 am

  

  Here’s my 2 cents on the subject

  Cinco de Mayo is promoted by Corona brewing company along with other marketing agencies to increase sales of their products in the United States. Just like most of our holidays that have some obscured reason that nobody remembers. It really is just another way for businesses to make money.

  9 out of 10 Americans have no clue on what Cinco de Mayo is and 10 out of 10 don’t care as long as it gives them a reason to crack open a cold one.

  There, that’s my two cents, Cico de Mayo? eh, whatever pass me the chips!

• Comment by irma — May 5, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

  

  whatever

• Comment by food — May 5, 2009 @ 3:35 pm

  

  World of warcraft rules

• Comment by Ayala — May 5, 2009 @ 5:37 pm

  

  Hi everyone, I read a lot of your responses and I think that it’s great that someone has something to say with respect to cinco de mayo. It could be negative or positive to some people, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and as long as they have one then there you go.

  I’m Mexican
  Let’s celebrate for all of those who fought in the war and won between the French and the Mexican Army.

  We all don’t know what holiday we celebrat here in the US, but we still do it!

• Comment by Eddie — May 6, 2009 @ 1:34 pm

  

  Because on that day we beat the snot out of the French, thats why we celebrate it!

• Comment by Skyler — May 6, 2009 @ 2:16 pm

  

  Why Do We Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

  Had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5, 1862, France would have gone to the aid of the South in the U.S. Civil War and our destiny could have been very different. Justo Sierra (1848-1912), a great Mexican writer who lived that period and wrote “The Political Evolution of the Mexican People,” made this observation at the turn of the century. In 1861 Mexico was bankrupt, owing staggering sums to Britain, Spain, France and the United States. Years earlier the United States had offered to assume Mexico’s debt in exchange for a mortgage on part of its territory. Mexico flatly rejected the offer, having already lost half its territory to this country. What kept the European powers from direct intervention in Mexico were the United States and the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 that warned Europe to stay away from interfering in this hemisphere. But in the summer of 1861 the United States Civil War broke out. In October of that same year, France, Spain and England convened to sign the Covenant of London in which these nations agreed to send troops to Mexico in sufficient numbers to secure payments. They solemnly added that this use of force was not for territorial gain or interfering in Mexico. Spain and England sent the first bill-collecting expedition, met no resistance at Vera Cruz but was unable to collect, though an agreement was reached. Meanwhile, France had landed a sizeable force in Mexico and the European intervention became exclusively French. On May 5, 1862, the French attacked Puebla and the Mexican Army, under General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the militarily superior French forces. This victory gave Mexico an electric current of patriotism and inspiration. It gave Mexico a soul of her own and national unity. This is why Cinco de Mayo is almost as important as their own Sept. 16th Independence Day. Meanwhile Robert E. Lee was winning battles for the South. Had France won at Puebla, it would have joined forces with the South and easily convinced England to help free the Southern ports of the Union blockade. Louisiana had at the time been French. France and England also wanted to paralyze U.S. expansionism into Latin America. Napoleon III also dreamt of binding stronger. The victory at Puebla not only protected the integrity of Mexico but also that of the United States – “an involuntary service…of inestimable value,” wrote Justo Sierra. A year later, the French won several victories, paving the way for Napoleon III to send Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, and his wife Carlota to set up a monarchy in Mexico. But the Mexican resistance continued, and Washington continued to recognize the Benito Juárez government as the only legitimate one. At times, the Juárez government was situated in El Paso (now named Ciudad Juárez) and at times the Juárez government did have to go into temporary exile on this side of the Río Grande. Maximilian and Carlota set up their court, wrote a book on court etiquette and reintroduced Mexico City to the royal grandeur it had known earlier through Spain. There were many upper class Mexicans who supported the monarchy.In 1865 the U.S. Civil War ended and Maximilian is supposed to have exclaimed, “This is the end of the empire!” By 1866 the armed resistance against the French occupation was growing and the victorious U.S. Union Army clamored for war against France. It had already been to Mexico as part of the U.S. invasion in 1847. For Mexico, the possibility of American involvement was more frightening than the French presence. At U.S. urging, the French, also facing problems in Europe, departed. Thus the United States repaid Mexico for its resistance to the French, which prevented the French from becoming allies of the confederates and indefinitely prolonging or changing the course of the Civil War. By 1867 Maximilian would not abdicate his throne, declaring he was 100 percent Mexican, heart and soul. Besides, Napoleon III had promised to stand by him. Carlota had already returned to France to hold Napoleon to his word. Napoleon III reneged. Maximilian remained in Mexico and courageously met his execution on June 19, 1867. Carlota became despondent and eventually insane. She died in Belgium in 1922. Mexico’s second war of independence came to an end with a cost of 300,000 casualties. What did France leave in Mexico? Mexican law is based on the Napoleonic code. Mexico’s architecture was greatly influenced. Popular dances such as “La Varsoviana” are of French origin. Mexico’s bread and pastries were greatly influenced. In Cuernavaca they still call the police “Gendarmes.” In Mexico City, El Paseo de la Reforma was Maximilian’s idea of a direct route to his palace from city’s center. It was modeled after the Champs-Elysees. There still exist isolated pockets of French-speaking descendents the way they do in Louisiana.
  If you travel through the small towns in the state of Jalisco you will see many blonde blue-eyed 100% Mexicans of French descent.
  Maximilian and Carlota loved to entertain. Mexican folk orchestras frequently played at French weddings (marriages). Out of this French word evolved the name of Mexico’s mariachis. What would Mexico be without mariachis? Inconceiveable

  ¡Viva el Cinco de Mayo!

  ¡Viva México! …

• Comment by katie — May 10, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

  

  yo no say. losiento

• Comment by BRYAN GARCIA — May 12, 2009 @ 6:59 pm

  

  i think that 5 de mayo is the best thing that us the mexicans could have i dont know watt others think but thats my oppinion

• Comment by BRYAN GARCIA — May 12, 2009 @ 7:04 pm

  

  i would like to know who is enamorada because iam not a player because when i like a gurl iam going to dadicate to the gurl i luv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Comment by BRYAN GARCIA — May 12, 2009 @ 8:09 pm

  

  is enybody going to talk back or say something about what i said????????????????

• Comment by BRYAN GARCIA — May 14, 2009 @ 4:57 pm

  

  is enybody going to get on the computer??????????????????????????????????

• Comment by BRYAN GARCIA — May 18, 2009 @ 6:22 pm

  

  katie are u on the computer riht know?

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