Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo lands on Taco Tuesday this year.
The stars have aligned.
This is what we've been training for, people!

https://youtu.be/EoEBen2eV-Y?si=5COaRSnuxcOrMTMw

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, a smaller, poorly equipped Mexican force defeated a much larger French army, providing a major morale boost. It is a symbol of resistance against foreign intervention, rather than Mexican Independence Day. 

Key Facts on the Origin:

• The Battle: On May 5, 1862, Mexican troops defeated the French army in Puebla, Mexico. This occurred during the French-Mexican War, initiated after Mexico suspended interest payments on foreign debt.
• Significance: Although the French eventually won the war, the Battle of Puebla became a powerful symbol of Mexican unity, patriotism, and resilience against foreign oppression.
• Origin of Celebration: The first celebrations began in California in 1862 as a grassroots response by Mexican-Americans to celebrate the victory and support the resistance against French rule.
• Misconceptions: It is not Mexican Independence Day (which is September 16).
• Evolution in the US: The holiday gained popularity in the US, particularly in the 1960s with Chicano activists, and later became heavily commercialized, focusing on Mexican-American heritage, food, and culture.
• Celebration in Mexico: It is not a major federal holiday in Mexico, but it is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla with parades and historical reenactments.