Posted on April 11, 2010.
Cinco de Mayo - Tequila, Mariachis, Chiles, Oh My! It's party time in the U.S. with the holiday Cinco de Mayo in the corner. So raise your glass of tequila and rock style out of Mexico to celebrate the holiday that commemorates the Mexican victory over the French.
Cinco de Mayo is one of the most celebrated Mexican national holidays in the United States, where many U.S. businesses and restaurants are decorated in green, white and red colors of the flag of Mexico, to observe this important day with fanfare Traditional Mexican. Although Cinco de Mayo celebrates the determination of Mexicans to remain free of foreign control, it is not Mexican Independence Day.
HISTORY
Following the devastating loss of the Mexican-American War in 1848, Mexico was both financially and morally defeated. In 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a period of two years. Furious and eager to collect payment, England, France and Spain invaded Mexico.
Unbeknownst to the other countries, France had its own agenda, ultimately aiming to impose a monarchical government upon the nations of Central and South America. Shortly after President Juarez offered a type of promissory note that guaranteed payments on its debt after two years, England and Spain returned home, but the French continued their siege on Mexico.
On May 5, 1862, Juarez commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza to block the advance of French forces on the fortified hills of Loreto and Guadalupe near the city of Puebla. With only 2,000 men, most of them local Indians Zacapoaxtla the Puebla region with no military training and weapons by little, the Mexicans were able to briefly defeat the French army in 6000.
The victory was short-lived, so soon after France conquered Puebla and the rest of Mexico, in power until 1867. Through a popular revolt, Juarez was restored to power, remains the leader of Mexico until his death in 1872.
BEYOND Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo was born in the central Mexican state of Puebla. Its capital, also known as Puebla, is one of the most impressive and oldest colonial cities of Mexico. Declared a World Heritage Site for its unique beauty, the beautiful historical center is an ideal starting point for a visit Cinco de Mayo.
While in Puebla, visitors can enjoy the historic Cinco de Mayo sites such as the tomb and monument of Ignacio Zaragoza, the general who led Mexico to victory over France. The site of the battle is also a popular destination, with a museum with an exhibition of hundreds of toy soldiers set up to show what happened that day. art exhibitions, concerts of both contemporary and classical music of Mexico and a series of Mexican films are also among the attractions.
An annual parade is held, Cinco de Mayo Avenue, and festivities include a reenactment of the famous battle. Men dress as French and Mexican soldiers and generals, and women wear clothes from the "soldaderas," women who cooked and cared for soldiers during wartime. In some representations, the Mexican soldiers provide machetes and old gun-power rifles, and French soldiers bags with bottles of wine and fruit.
Puebla has much more to offer besides its traditional Cinco de Mayo sites. It should also visit the museum exhibiting archaeological artifacts, paintings, railroad cars, and other historical treasures, as well as many shops specializing in Talavera pottery and traditional treats. Stroll through the neighborhood of Los sapos buy antiques and to sample wonderful poblano dishes including mole and chilies in nogada (in season) from a wide range of restaurants.
The State of Puebla offers other beautiful cities to visit in addition to its capital. Cho.
