Celebrating Mexican History & Culture On Cinco de Mayo

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “Fifth of May”) is well-known in most major cities as a day for people to gather together and enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine, ice-cold cervezas and the classic tangy margarita. However, it is also an opportunity to delve into – and gain a greater understanding of – the history and traditions behind this annual spring celebration.

Cinco de Mayo is actually celebrated more here in the U.S. than it is in Mexico, where it is not even a federal holiday. Also, contrary to common belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day (which occurred over 50 years before and is honored on September 16). Cinco de Mayo in fact commemorates the unlikely triumph of the Mexican army over the stronger French forces at the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

What Lead to the French-Mexican War

Facing a severe economic crisis in 1861 after several wars (independence from Spain, 1810-1821; the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848; a civil war, 1858-1861), Mexican President Benito Juarez stopped payment on foreign debt. Juarez subsequently came to a diplomatic resolution with Spain and Great Britain, however the French monarch, Napoleon III, took the opportunity to invade Mexico and install a distant relative as emperor.

Battle of Puebla via CC-BY-SA-3.0
Battle of Puebla via CC-BY-SA-3.0

The Battle of Puebla

Confident they would be able to easily take over Mexico, the French army of over 6,000 was surprised in Puebla (located in east-central Mexico) upon encountering a much smaller, ill-equipped battalion of about 2,000 Mexican soldiers led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, at dawn on May 5th, 1862. The French retreated later that evening after they had lost about 500 soldiers – while less than 100 Mexicans had perished.

The French-Mexican War would not end until 1867, but the unyielding bravery and tenacious determination displayed at Puebla by the outnumbered Mexican troops became a source of inspiration for Mexico during those years.

Cinco de Mayo in the U.S.

There are many thoughts regarding the popularization of Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. One is related to the growth of the Mexican-American population. Also, Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, etc. were once held by Mexico. Later, the Bracero Program (established during World War II, continuing through 1964) allowed legal U.S. entry to Mexican seasonal laborers. Then the political issues and social changes of the 1960s saw an uptake in ethnic pride as Mexican immigrants fought for their rights and Mexican-Americans began the Chicano movement, with a shared protest against the view that their heritage should be abandoned for assimilation into American culture. Cinco de Mayo celebrations resurged as a symbol of resistance.

Unfortunately as Cinco de Mayo has become more popular, it has also become increasingly commercialized. Since the 1980s, products associated with Mexican culture have been the focus of Cinco de Mayo marketing campaigns. Liquor companies in particular have benefited financially by heavily advertising tequila and beer, a strategy also utilized for St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest.

Celebrating without Appropriating

While avoiding cultural appropriation on Cinco de Mayo (steering clear of potentially offensive costumes and from speaking “Spanglish” is always a good idea), the observance of Cinco de Mayo provides the chance to make a positive impact in your community by patronizing Mexican-American owned businesses/ purchasing Mexican-American made products:    

Papel Picado by timlewisnm via CC BY-SA 2.0
Papel Picado by timlewisnm via CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Forego national-chain restaurants; seek out local Mexican-American owned restaurants (another advantage is the food is usually fresh and not prepared from pre-packaged, processed ingredients).
  • Look for traditional festive Mexican decorations such as papel picado (colorful, patterned-cut tissue paper), garlands of paper flowers, and piñatas.
  • For the more adventurous, authentic recipes for making traditional Mexican dishes can be found online – from simple salsa and tacos to the more complicated frijoles de olla, tamales, and the dish associated with Puebla, Mexico called mole poblano. There are also some great cookbooks available.
  • Enjoy some pan dulce (sweet bread) from a panaderia (Mexican bakery) or supermarket specializing in Mexican foods (a fitting choice as these baked goods were influenced by French/ Spanish bread and pastry techniques).

For a deeper dive into learning about Mexican culture:

  • Read up on the history of Cinco de Mayo.
  • Listen to the many genres of Mexican music such as mariachi, ranchera, corrido, banda, norteño and tamborazo.
  • Visit your local museums and take in the talent of Mexican and Mexican-American artists.
Mariachi by Codo via CC BY-SA 2.0
The Passion of the Mariachi      by Codo via CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall, the emergence of a more festive Cinco de Mayo in the United States allows us to not only revel in Mexican heritage, but to also understand its historical significance – while honoring those who have demonstrated unwavering courage and perseverance. So let us raise a glass to Mexico and our Mexican-American community this Cinco de Mayo.