Happy Cinqo de Mayo! While listening to the news report on this day this morning, I got to thinking about how cool it is that we celebrate this Mexican holiday here is the USA. So I looked up the origination of this holiday.
Cinqo de Mayo marks the day, May 5, 1862, that Mexico defeated a French invasion of Puebla, Mexico. The invasion was opposed by not only President Benito Juรกrez, but also President Abraham Lincoln, who did not welcome a French Empire on North American soil. This is also why there are statues of President Lincoln in Mexico and statues of President Juarez in the USA!
To further commemorate our solidarity with Mexico and Latin America, the USA has issued a postage stamp series, “Latin Music Legends”. The Artists, who include Selena, American born of Mexican heritage, Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, Carlos Gardel, and Celia Cruz.
Have a wonderful holiday!
I always find this celebration a bit funny. In Mexico no one celebrates cinco de mayo, I do believe students get the day off classes ( which symbolizes the important of the event) but it is definitely not a big deal, compared to America. But as I have learned in this class it is a celebration suited for Mexican-American because since they live in America they cannot celebrate Mexico independence day, I am glad this day exist for Mexican-Americans.
ReplyDeleteIn the article I read, it also stated that while all of the USA celebrates cinco de mayo in a big way, in Mexico it only acknowledged in Puebla, where the invasion occurred.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, St. Patrick's day in the USA is widely celebrated by Irish-Americans, while in Ireland, St. Patrick's day is quietly celebrated as a holy day.