On May 5th, also known as Cinco de Mayo, keep an eye out for sombreros, margaritas, and the widespread use of the word “gracias” as many people celebrate the significant Mexican holiday at local Mexican restaurants.
Nha Trang
However, that is not the case. That’s September 16th, the
If you thought Cinco de Mayo was only commemorated by 40% of Americans, you aren’t alone. According to a survey conducted by YouGov in 2020, the independence day of the country wasn’t known by only 40% of Americans.
While the holiday isn’t solely about honoring the beginning of Mexico’s 11-year Mexican Independence War in 1810, Hispanics still carry a monumental celebration and history of Mexico’s day into the United States.
USA TODAY informed Irene Vásquez, who serves as the head of Chicano and Chicana Studies at the University of New Mexico, that “Nonetheless, the recollection of Cinco de Mayo by the public endures. This does somewhat diminish the public’s recollection of the significance of Cinco De Mayo. It primarily revolves around enjoying oneself, throwing a lively party, and commemorating with beer and wine.”
It is important for people to understand that this day is a place in society where we can celebrate the heritage, history, and significance of different ethnicities, including the Mexican people.
What is Cinco de Mayo and why is it celebrated?
France, after a long struggle, found itself in conflict with Mexico in 1848, losing the Mexican-American War and defeating the Spaniards in 1821.
III Napoleon, the French Emperor, desired to send his troops to the territory of Veracruz in order to assert Mexico’s claim and overthrow the government of President Benito Juárez.
By evening, Mexico had claimed victory as 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced off against 6,000 French troops in a small town in central-east Mexico, specifically Los Angeles de Puebla.
Several days later, Juárez officially proclaimed May 5th as a nationwide
According to Vásquez, the reason why the triumph was highly meaningful was that it initiated the effort to expel France from the nation during a period when the nation was both economically weak and besieged.
She remarked, “It is truly an impressive accomplishment that this group of Mexican soldiers and volunteers can overcome the French.”
The battle also had an impact on the American Civil War. Since Napoleon III was defeated and withdrew from North America, the Confederacy could not rely on the French as a partner to secure victory in the war.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico vs. US
In the 1960s and 1970s, the vacation then gained more popularity during the Chicano Movement, Mario García, a Chicanx historian from UC Santa Barbara, informed USA TODAY that the triumph was not initially commemorated in Mexico, but instead by Mexican Americans as a means of opposing the consequences of the Mexican-American War.
García stated, “Cinco de Mayo becomes a Chicano holiday in many ways because we discover that it is linked to the struggle of the Chicano movement, which is linked to the struggle against foreign invaders, the Mexicans resisting.”
In the late Chicano Movement, companies started commercializing the holiday of Cinco De Mayo, according to García, in the 1980s.
“What started as a jokingly referred day to as Coors Day, now hosts Restaurants for the holiday of Cinco de Mayo. Companies are now marketing beer products from Mexican all to get deals on cocktails and specials.”
García said that the celebrations of Día de la Independencia in Mexico are notably different from the Mexican holidays of Mayo De Cinco, which take place in the city of Puebla, where the famous battle occurred.
How do Hispanics feel about Cinco de Mayo celebrations?
According to Vásquez, the widespread observance of Cinco De Mayo in the United States may have various influences beyond commercialization. The festivities bring together numerous individuals from the Chicanx and Hispanic communities, presenting a range of perspectives.
Melissa Lopez, an American of Mexican descent, said that Cinco de Mayo is not an American thing but rather a Mexican holiday. She added that people celebrate it to honor Mexican traditions, celebrating the day with their families in Ensenada and Tijuana.
Lopez expressed, “It’s simply ironic.” Mexicans genuinely despise those individuals who also happen to be the ones they want to celebrate with on a day like this. They desire to have fun and enjoy everything about it, including the music, food, drinks, and Mexican culture. They love Mexican food, enjoy Mexican stuff, but don’t want to admit that they like it because they feel like Americans.
It is still relevant today to celebrate the message of the day, as long as they understand the meaning of the holiday. However, there is a two-way view on the commercialization of Cinco De Mayo, as it takes away from its original significance. García said that he has no problem celebrating by going out to Mexican restaurants to eat and drink.
If people truly understand the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo, he wondered how they might think about how it applies to the Latino and Hispanic population today.
Vásquez added that it is crucial for Mexican Americans to acquire knowledge about it, despite the persistence of misunderstandings surrounding the holiday and the likelihood of their perpetuation.
Vásquez stated, “The importance of strength and unity is because it conveys what Cinco de Mayo means to our younger generations and community. The message is buried within the dancing, decorations, drinking, and fanfare. It is a very subversive element of anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, and the self-determination of Mexican people.”
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