Mexican big, colorful, and noisy celebrations are popular worldwide. Frequently, some tourists plan they're staying in Mexico during a national celebration. Independence Day, Day of the Death, or Day of the Guadalupe Virgin are good examples of such celebrations. Religion, faith, Politics, national pride take the streets and offer a cultural ‘parade’ of local traditions, gastronomy, and music.
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Everything is fine, but watch out! If you plan to visit Mexico during May because you have heard about Cinco de Mayo's big celebration, read this article first and avoid being disappointed.
I’m Mexican and I live in Mexico City. More than once, I have been asked by tourists “Where is the Cinco de Mayo celebration?”, “At what time do you start partying?”. The answer is simple, we don’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a big party. We remember the victory of a battle that took place around Puebla. It’s a national holiday. Many people, especially office workers, have a free day and that’s it.
The answer has visibly disappointed some tourists. Once, one of them commented to her friends “let’s ask someone else. She doesn’t know”. This is how solid the belief of many foreigners about this celebration is. Obviously, there’s confusion here, and being more exactly, it's confusion arisen in the US.
What is Cinco de Mayo in English?
Cinco de Mayo is a date expressed in Spanish. It’s May the 5th in English. And it refers to The Battle of Puebla Day, an event in Mexican History that occurred on May 5th, 1862. Mexicans won a battle against the French in the surroundings of the Mexican state of Puebla.
What does Cinco de Mayo represent for Mexicans?
Cinco de Mayo represents pride and identity for Mexicans. It’s part of the country’s history.
Is Cinco de Mayo celebrated in Mexico?
To be accurate, Cinco de Mayo is commemorated every year in Mexico by the federal and local governments and citizens, mainly through official acts. A military parade, official speeches and some recreations of the battle take place, mainly in the Mexican State of Puebla. But Mexicans don’t celebrate with the spectacular national party that many people think.
It’s a holiday (rest day) in the Mexican calendar, especially for office employees.
Is Cinco de Mayo the Mexican Independence Day?
No, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo or May 5th is Battle of Puebla Day in Mexico.
Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th. On this date in 1810, the war to fight for Mexican Independence started. It lasted ten years. And the Mexican Independence was officially recognized by Spain until 1836. This is one of the biggest celebrations in Mexico and festivities start the previous night (September 15th).
Is Cinco de Mayo a Mexican celebration?
Not really. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican historical commemoration. But Cinco de Mayo's big celebration (party) is mostly a US creation. A date promoted by American beer companies, restaurants, bars, etc. to have a drink day yearly. And the festivity involves not only Mexicans but all Latinos living in the US.
What is Cinco de Mayo about? - Origin of this commemoration.
Time for a bit of Mexican History to explain Cinco de Mayo's origin!
Let’s go back to the 19th century, exactly to the 1860s decade. It was really a hard time for Mexico. The loss of half of the territory was recent and the War of Reform was too. As a result of this last war, the country got divided and confronted, conservatives and liberals, and Benito Juárez became president.
Juárez got a big challenge. The conflicts practically destroyed and plunged into poverty the country. Around 70% of the economic resources were used to pay external debts with France, England, and Spain. The country needed to be rebuilt urgently and resources were needed. Therefore, Benito Juárez suspended these payments. The decision was not well taken by the European countries that mobilized their troops to invade Mexico. Juárez reached an agreement with England and Spain, so they withdrew their troops. But France invaded Mexico.
On May 5th, 1862, when the French troops were heading to the capital (6,000 men), a battle took place in the surroundings of Puebla. Mexico defeated the French.
Historians explain that the French lost the battle because they underestimated the Mexican army from the very beginning. And yes, they were inferior in force (artillery, ammunition, etc.) and experience but they got prepared and improvised as they could. There were many volunteers in the Mexican troops. Yes, people without military training decided to defend their nation.
Mexicans won a battle and stopped France's invasion just for a while. One year later, France got back with 35,000 men to invade Mexico. The conflict finished until 1867 when Emperor Napoleon III withdrew France troops from Mexico. By that time, France was facing two threats, the Prussian in Europe and the American one that was pushing for them to leave Mexico.
Summing up, Cinco de Mayo de 1862 represents for Mexico the victory of a battle against the French troops. Although, that didn’t stop the French invasion.
When was Cinco de Mayo first celebrated in the US?
Cinco de Mayo, the date of the Mexican victory of the Battle of Puebla, was first celebrated in the US by Mexicans, in 1862, after the battle occurred. Consider that then, just like now, there was a big amount of Mexicans living in the US. Especially in the South. Although the victory of this battle didn’t mean the end of the war against France, it deeply inspired the Mexicans to keep fighting.
In 1863 and the upcoming years, the historical victory was remembered and celebrated by the Mexicans that still were at war. French troops left Mexico until 1867. From 1862 to today, this chapter has been an iconic remembrance to encourage Mexicans not to give up.
How was Cinco de Mayo first celebrated in the US?
Cinco de Mayo, the Battle of Puebla Day, was first celebrated in the US by Mexicans. But the celebration didn’t involve frozen margaritas, tacos, or fireworks like today. It was more a patriotic commemoration for Mexicans. During the whole 1860s decade, this historical event was a remembrance to encourage Mexicans not to give up. The French invasion finished in 1867.
Why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the US?
Well, first of all, Cinco de Mayo was celebrated in the US because in the past, just like today, many Mexicans were living there. In 1862, when Mexico won the Battle of Puebla against France and the following years, the ones celebrating the patriotic achievement were Mexicans living in the American territory.
Americans joined the Mexican celebration as a way to express their solidarity against France. Don’t forget that in the US, the American Civil War was on (1861-1865).
A century later, Chicanos (Americans of Mexican origin or descent) recovered the holiday as an ethnic pride symbol.
But with time, the history behind this Mexican commemoration in the rest of the American population started getting blurry or lost. It was until the 1980s, that American beer companies promoted this date to have a big celebration. It was a Marketing campaign to reach the big and growing Spanish-speaking population in the US.
Part of the campaign succeeded. Exactly the idea of a big party full of Mexican food, beers, music, fireworks, dance, and parades directly stuck on people’s minds. But not the historical event. The reason for such a celebration was forgotten and twisted year after year. Therefore, a misconception among Americans about Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day got born.
As you see, Cinco de Mayo big party was created by American Marketing. And based on the vast presence of Mexicans in the US, in states like California, Texas, and Los Angeles, currently this date is used with a different meaning, to celebrate the Mexican-American culture.
How Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the US?
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the US with festivals, parades, Mexican music, traditional dancing, and of course, Mexican food and drinks.
What’s the traditional Cinco de Mayo food?
In Mexico, there’s not a specific Cinco de Mayo menu. But in the US celebration, there is. Restaurants Cinco de Mayo food usually include tacos, guacamole, nachos, tequila, frozen margaritas, and beer.
If you are in Mexico on this date, you can try a lot of different Mexican food that is available all year. In Puebla, you can try mole or chile en nogada.
Should I go to a Mexican restaurant in Cinco de Mayo?
Mexican food and drinks are popular worldwide. And every day of the year is good to visit a Mexican restaurant for enjoying them! Just, if you are in Mexico, don’t expect something specific or a party environment on this date.
In the US, if you go exactly on May 5th, restaurants will have a specific Mexican style food on the menu, drinks, maybe a mariachi but mostly a party environment.
Conclusion.
To visit Mexico and enjoy its food and vast geography is always worth it! You will eat deliciously, drink, and have fun no matter the month of the year. If you go on May 5th, you won’t find a massive celebration but be sure you will enjoy your visit. Here you can find some cool recommendations, so you can just pack and go!
And if you want to experience the American Cinco de Mayo, add US to your trip list. And share your experience with us! PackandGo.info @packandgoinfo @packandgo.info @packandgo.info