Today is 5 de Mayo and all day you’ll be hearing Happy 5 de Mayo because here in the U.S. this day has evolved into a day where Mexico and its heritage is celebrated.
In Mexico, 5 de Mayo is a day that is honored in Mexico with reenacting the battle of Puebla and the closure of some schools and businesses, mostly in the state of Puebla.
A way that I easily explain this day to those who are unfamiliar with the history of Mexico is compare it to the movie Sparta, which may sound a bit funny but let me tell the story of Puebla to see if you draw the same conclusion and comparison as I did.
Mexico had external debts to European governments and defaulted on some of this debt. The reason to this was because the president of Mexico at this time, Benito Juárez felt that the interest rates on this debt were wildly inflated and also felt that there was a domestic need for this money. But when this happened, France, Britain and Spain sent their naval forces to Mexico to demand payment on their debt. Britain and Spain successfully and diplomatically renegotiated their debt with Benito Juarez, and withdrew their forces, but this was not the case for France.
It is believed that France felt like it was falling behind in the Americas in comparison to Spain and Britain so they purposely raised the interest rates in Mexico’s debt with the intention to invade Mexico and saw this as an opportunity to destabilize North America. And so they did exactly this, on May 5th of 1862 France invades Mexico and Benito Juarez, Puebla is ordered to fight back and prevent the invasion from penetrating the city of Mexico. France had a military of 6,000 men and Puebla had 2,000 untrained men who were being led by Texas born General Ignacio Zaragoza, and despite these men being untrained, poorly supplied and outnumbered they were able to beat France after five days of battle. Therefore, you can see why this successful defeat of the French and their attempted invasion is commemorated and honored in Mexico.
I hope after you reading what happened you can now see how I concluded these 2,000 men of Puebla could be easily compared to Sparta but of course, within their own storyline, in their own home state of Puebla and with their own very deserved glory.
It is now believed that 5 de Mayo is more celebrated in the U.S. than Mexico, I do not know if this is true or as to how this day became so celebrated here in the U.S. because there are several theories as to the how. But regardless of the reasons, we appreciate you taking the day of 5 de Mayo to celebrate our beautiful heritage and history with us. And if you do have a drink today, we ask that you lift your glass up to these men who despite of all odds being against them, still showed up, fought and won.
Viva 5 de Mayo!
Also, we invite you to visit the other parts of this blog to know more about our Food, Traditions & Culture
