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  • #2187080

    5 de mayo

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    by aldanatech ·

    Every May 5th, the country and even the White House celebrate “Cinco de Mayo”. It has been a long time tradition of joy and celebration. But how many of us actually know what it is and why do we celebrate it? How much do you know about “Cinco de Mayo”?

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    • #3242310

      I think I know

      by jkaras ·

      In reply to 5 de mayo

      It was the day Mexico gained it independance. That I do know, but was it from France? From what I do remember it was rather bloody conflict. Its a shame they they still get exploited today. Most holidays are exploited for financial gain and few know the importance or meaning behind them to begin with. Is it a bad thing? Yes and no, if people want to know they can find out, if it grings them fun and a better spirit among others to be congenial, then it isnt so bad.

      I enjoyed a burrito and some cervesa last night watching a fellow co-worker perform with her husband doing some cover tunes. The only problem was rain. I left early because it was going to pour, which it did later.

      • #3242269

        Not exactly

        by aldanatech ·

        In reply to I think I know

        Mexico’s independence day is September 16th and they gained it from Spain. May 5th was the day Mexico defeated France in the southern state of Puebla.

        • #3240295

          yeah

          by jkaras ·

          In reply to Not exactly

          I thought it was independance from Spain, but I half cheated by googling it and saw French, so I changed it. I knew something was amiss. I didnt realize the French tried for Mexico, I thought they wanted to stay near Canada or Lousiana for the delta. Lately I am getting more of a thirst for history and occaisionally will turn on the History channel. Before that only if I was forced to read history, did I. I always thought it wsa boring and tedious when it is actually quite interesting. Either I am maturing or tastes do change or there is too much junk on tv lately. However that doesnt explain my old facination with the vasrious 80’s shows that were real winners like Knight Rider, A-Team, to name a few. Man there is nothing funnier than seeing these old reruns and sit there puzzled on why the hell did i find it amusing while accurately remembering every part of the show. Man its spooky and pathetic at the same time. Oh well, lol. I cant wait till another twenty years past and I have the same feeling about my current favorite shows.

    • #3242299

      Tequila

      by cortech ·

      In reply to 5 de mayo

      It celebrates the Battle of Puebla. Couldn’t tell you anything more without researching it.

    • #3242253

      ta da. pulled off web. i cheated. oh well.

      by itgirli ·

      In reply to 5 de mayo

      4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.

      The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas.

      Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon’s French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War.

      The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy — as European countries traditionally did.

      Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico’s president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited. Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns. The Mexican Army was less stylish.

      General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes.

      When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz’ superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.

      Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.

      It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows?

      In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.

      Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That’s why Cinco de Mayo is such a party — A party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862.

      • #3242238

        Very good thought

        by aldanatech ·

        In reply to ta da. pulled off web. i cheated. oh well.

        It may be pulled out of the web but it is very good and accurate. I’m glad you took the time to look it up ITgirli. We should never celebrate something without first knowing what it is.

        • #3242226

          i knew the basics

          by itgirli ·

          In reply to Very good thought

          after taking 8 years of spanish (5 of which were taught by a mexican) I had to know what it was about. But as with much of my schooling, I don’t remember much, but i remember enough.

    • #3240245

      Mayonnaise!!!

      by stress junkie ·

      In reply to 5 de mayo

      I believe that Cinqo de Mayo is a celebration of mayonnaise. What a wonderful condiment. It’s a little bit like a sauce and a little bit like a dessert topping. Creamy smooth, nothing else could be mixed with tuna fish with such a delightul and tasty result.

      Let’s all take a moment to reflect on the wonder of mayonnaise, and DON’T hold the mayo!!!

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