10 Informative Facts about Cinco de Mayo
Battles and wars always make us enthusiastic and motivated especially when it is regarding our identity. A somewhat similar scenario is linked to the above mentioned Cinco de Mayo. It is actually a national holiday in Mexico and also celebrated in some parts of U.S. Prima Facie, it seems that it is concerned to the independence of Mexico but in substance this is not the case. This battle can be termed as the starting of the struggle for independence. Most of the countries have some wars or battles which are of historic importance to the nation and in which the people of that country take great pride in. For instance, for Pakistan it was the 1965 war against India in which the Pakistan army took over the nemesis by virtue of its courageous and high-spirit soldiers. Similarly, the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 holds a great significance for the Mexicans especially as their army won this very battle against the French army. Hoooo Haaaa Hoo Haa!!
Let us get on to the top ten facts relating to this great battle.
10.Behind every great win, there is surely a well-planned strategy and efforts of a talented General which in this case was no other than General Ignacio Zarogoza Seguin. His statue is present in San Agustin Plaza in downtown historic district of Laredo, Texas.
9.Although the holiday is celebrated in Mexico and most parts of U.S but primarily it is held with great zeal and zest in the state of Peubla where it is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla which in English means “The day of the battle of Peubla”.
8.Due to numerous wars such as Mexican-American War of 1846-48, the Mexican Civil War of 1858, and the 1860 Reform Wars, Mexico was in queer street and couldn’t pay off the debts which it took from different foreign entities which included France as well. U.K and Spain negotiated with Mexico but France, then under the rule of Napoleon III, took this opportunity to try and establish a French empire to look after the French interests in that region.
7.An article in Philadelphia’s The Bulletin termed the then French army as the best of the time. Despite of the fact, the eight-thousand troops of that army couldn’t stand against the four-thousand weak and poorly-equipped Mexican forces at the state of Peubla. Some outcomes are not based on material facts and figures rather there is some other force motivating the outcomes of the events.
6.The Time magazine narrated the outcome of this historic battle as “The Puebla victory came to symbolize unity and pride for what seemed like a Mexican David defeating a French Goliath.”
5.Nonetheless, the French were somehow able to took over the Mexico after one and a half year. Emperor Maximilian I was recognized as the ruler of Mexico. What about USA at that time? Yes it was riveted in its own civil war at that time.
4.The French victory was also short-lived as the Americans seized the throne soon enough from the Maximilian ruler. USA actually helped the Mexicans to expel the French from the region and they were successful in this venture.
3.In Brisbane, Australia the event is celebrated by holding an Annual Mexican Festival in the honor of fifth of May. In Vancouver, Canada a Cinco de Mayo sky-diving event is held by a local sky-diving club.
2.Who were the first to celebrate this day? The credit for this goes to the Mexicans and Latinos of California who were the first ever folks to celebrate this day of Cinco de Mayo.
1.This battle was equally significant for the Americans as the intention of the French forces was to break the American Union. Mexicans fight tooth and nail to oust the French forces and this bought some time to the already busy (Civil War) Americans to realize the need of the hour and build an army large enough to defeat the French forces.
