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Cinco de Mayo is a holiday which commemorates the astounding victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla on the 5th of May, 1862.
In 1861, Benito Juárez, (a Zapotec Indian) the President of Mexico, decided to suspend, as an emergency measure, all foreign debt repayments for two years due to financial instability in the country - mainly attributable to the expenses of the Mexican-American War.
France, one of the major creditors, demanded immediate repayment of the debt owing to it. When Mexico indicated that it was unable to do so, the French decided on military intervention to collect the debt.
The French, sent about 8000 foot soldiers to occupy Mexico City. On May 5 1862, as they were marching towards the capital, the French soldiers entered the town of Puebla. Lying in wait for the French soldiers at Puebla was a poorly equipped, but brave army of about 4,000 Mestizo and Zapotec Indian troops commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The French general, believing the Mexican troops to be easy targets, ordered his soldiers to attack directly into the center of the Mexican defenses. When the shooting ended, the French had incurred significant casualties and the Mexicans subsequently counter-attacked, forcing the French to retreat all the way to the coast.
Cinco de Mayo is remembered as the day that Mexican people exhibited great courage and determination to defend themselves against a major colonial European power by fighting a battle and winning against all odds - thereby eventually securing their right to self-rule. The day is symbolic of Mexican pride, unity and patriotism.
In 1861, Benito Juárez, (a Zapotec Indian) the President of Mexico, decided to suspend, as an emergency measure, all foreign debt repayments for two years due to financial instability in the country - mainly attributable to the expenses of the Mexican-American War.
France, one of the major creditors, demanded immediate repayment of the debt owing to it. When Mexico indicated that it was unable to do so, the French decided on military intervention to collect the debt.
The French, sent about 8000 foot soldiers to occupy Mexico City. On May 5 1862, as they were marching towards the capital, the French soldiers entered the town of Puebla. Lying in wait for the French soldiers at Puebla was a poorly equipped, but brave army of about 4,000 Mestizo and Zapotec Indian troops commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The French general, believing the Mexican troops to be easy targets, ordered his soldiers to attack directly into the center of the Mexican defenses. When the shooting ended, the French had incurred significant casualties and the Mexicans subsequently counter-attacked, forcing the French to retreat all the way to the coast.
Cinco de Mayo is remembered as the day that Mexican people exhibited great courage and determination to defend themselves against a major colonial European power by fighting a battle and winning against all odds - thereby eventually securing their right to self-rule. The day is symbolic of Mexican pride, unity and patriotism.
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