What is Cinco de Mayo?
- by Matthew McNairy, May 3, 2011
Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, is the Mexican Independence Day, right? No. It is actually the celebration of Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Pueblo on May 5, 1862.
Mexico won its independence from Spain on September 15, 1810, but stayed in a state of war for many years to follow. The newly independent Mexico fought America from 1846-1848 and then endured a civil war that started in 1857. These struggles left Mexico with little means to repay debt to its European backers. After Mexican President, Benito Juarez, declared a 2-year suspension on its loans, England, France and Spain came to collect armed for battle.
Napoleon III had more in mind than just debt collection – he wanted Mexico as a French colony in the Western World. England and Spain removed their support of France when they discovered his plans. In 1861, France invaded Mexico and forced a retreat of the Mexican president towards Mexico City. France encountered great resistance as it pushed toward Mexico City in the town of Pueblo on May 5, 1862.
The French army had not been defeated in nearly 50 years. The exhausted Mexican battled the army in Pueblo under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. The outnumbered Mexicans surprised the French army behind fortified walls and sent the French army retreating.
While Cinco de Mayo was not the ultimate victory for Mexico, it was a rallying point for the exhausted country to battle on to drive France out.
Today, Cinco de Mayo, is mostly celebrated throughout the United State and regionally in Mexico in the state of Pueblo. You can find local Cinco de Mayo celebration in Indianapolis, too.
Many bars and cantinas will be offering drink specials and festive celebrations such as La Jolla Mexican Cantina, 921 Broad Ripple Ave and also at El Sol Del Tala, 2444 E. Washington St.