by detlef on Thu May 22, 2025 8:12 am
Since you brought it up...
A few facts about Cinco de Mayo:
It's not actually a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico. As you pointed out, it commemorates the battle of Puebla where a very out-numbered Mexican army turned back the French. Thing is, very shortly after, the French stormed the capital and took the country anyway. Hence, why it's not a big deal in Mexico and why it is NOT Mexican Independence Day as many think. That is likely because it sounds like the 4th of July.
We were in Oaxaca this past May 5th and I should point out that, in Oaxaca, they don't need much to inspire a celebration. There are a bunch of saints and they'll let off fireworks for all of their birthdays. Then there's "Children's day" and the next day is Labor Day (where they make a far bigger deal about it than we do in the states). So, nearly every day, we heard fireworks going off. Not a one on the 5th of May.
Essentially, in the 80s, Jose Cuervo and Corona thought it would be a good idea to make a big deal of it in the US so we'd have an excuse to buy a bunch of beer and tequila. And, thus, a holiday was born.
