CliffyWorld

Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo here in the USA? This question has spoofed Americans for many years. Is it because the Mexican population has swelled due to the lack of border security. Is it just another Hallmark greeting card day: "We're so glad you came. My lawn has never looked so good". "Because you're here my restaurant has profited. Now get back into the kitchen". Maybe we need some justification to get drunk after work, something many of us do anyway. Ponder you may, Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday.

Now for the history:

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "5th of May") is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City; a year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico. The French were eventually defeated and expelled in 1867. Maximilian was executed by President Benito Juarez, five years after the Battle of Puebla.

Do they celebrate Cinco de Mayo in France? There are 16 official holidays in France in 2008. Cinco is not on the list. Should they celebrate? They did invade Mexico and occupy from 1862 to 1867. Think of all the fun they must have had during those years. Shouldn't they want to reminisce. Well, maybe not as Mexico most likely didn't provide them with high quality wine. Horse and frog were not popular menu items either.

Here in America many of our own holidays are forgotten such as Veteran's day, VE-Day, VJ-Day, D-Day, Flag Day, Pearl Harbor Day. We've combined and moved holidays around for our own convenience. President's Day could now insinuate the celebration of our favorite fellow, Willy Clinton instead of Washington and Lincoln. Big Box retail stores will flaunt big sales and take in windfall profits during Memorial Day celebrating:

WW2: 416,800 Millitary Deaths.
WW1: 116,708 Millitary Deaths.
Vietnam War: 58,217 Military Deaths.
Korean War: 36,940 Millitary Deaths.
Not counting the many wounded and civilians deaths.

So celebrate a Mexican holiday if you must. Those dead soldiers you fail to remember and honor gave you the right to do so freely. But don't feel too guilty. The Mexicans did kick France's ass.

Your comments on this article are always appreciated.