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Cinco De Mayo Salutes Mexican History
EFLCinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday, but it's increasingly a day for celebrations north of the border. In more ways than you thought. Monday is the anniversary of the battle of Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862, when outnumbered Mexican troops defeated French forces and stopped them from taking Mexico City. Mexico won that battle, but lost the war: The army of Napoleon III marched into Mexico City the next year and sent the elected Mexican president packing. Mexican Independence Day is actually in September and commemmorates Mexico's drive to break away from Spain in 1810. For Mexico, even though the victory was short-lived, the battle of Puebla was an important foundation for national pride. Native troops with outdated weaponry had been able to turn back a European army that had a decades-long undefeated streak and which was arguably the best trained and equipped in the world. Been going downhill ever since. For the world, one could call May 5, 1862, the beginning of the end for Europe's ability to dominate the New World. France piled on the reinforcements and took Mexico City, but that was while the United States was distracted with its own Civil War. When the Civil War ended, the Union sent troops to the U.S.-Mexican border to intimidate France, which withdrew in 1867. European armies never invaded the Americas again. So, pop open a cold one and drink to the defeat of the French at the hands of our Mexican neighbors. SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: Drinking to every French military defeat is hazardous to your health. Posted by: Steve 2003-05-05 |
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