The Mexican Army was greatly outnumbered by the French, who had also not lost a battle in over fifty years! This attack resulted in the unlikely victory for the Mexican Army. On September 16, , President Juarez declared that the date of the Battle of Puebla would be made an annual holiday. Hence, Cinco de Mayo became a popular holiday in Mexico and in areas where there is a large Mexican population.
There are various Cinco de Mayo traditions that are celebrated around the world. In Mexico, most of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations that take place occur in the town of Puebla where the battle took place. There are large parades that feature people dressed up as Mexican and French soldiers.
Traditional Cinco de Mayo desserts include the tres leches cake, a creamy cake made from three kinds of milk: sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. Pan dulce, a sweet bread, is another popular dessert item.
Though not a national holiday, public schools are closed and many get the day off of work. A parade is held in Puebla, located just east of Mexico City, however little celebration is held beyond this in the country.
For restaurants, grocery and party supply stores, and the food and beverage industry, Cinco de Mayo has become a much anticipated crossover event. In addition to the US population of Mexican descent, marketers have promoted Cinco de Mayo celebrations to everyone in the US, creating a major, revenue-generating juggernaut. They are living in every state and in nearly every county. As expected, counties in the border states of California, Texas, and Arizona, as well as New Mexico show the highest numbers of Mexican Americans.
Starr County, Texas tops the list. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew their forces. France, however, ruled by Napoleon III , decided to use the opportunity to carve an empire out of Mexican territory.
Certain that success would come swiftly, 6, French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico.
The vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans, led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, fortified the town and prepared for the French assault.
On May 5, , Lorencez gathered his army—supported by heavy artillery—before the city of Puebla and led an assault. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly soldiers. Fewer than Mexicans had been killed in the clash. In —thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War —France finally withdrew.
Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events.
For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.
0コメント