The Real Cinco de Mayo

With the recent political and social unrest regarding Mexican immigration and the negative reaction to President Bush's speech on the issue, many of us have developed a point of view that has less to do with facts than it has to do with popular opinion. Society today tends react react as if programmed with a predisposition towards immigration and its effect on our culture and economy.

Every day people contact me at work (I work for National City, the 8th largest bank in the states) and rant unyieldingly about the use of the Spanish language in our ATMs. They find it ridiculous and disrespectful of our citizenship that we must "press 1" to have our transaction displayed in English.

This being the case, I found it refreshing when I came across such a well written article today about the effect that Mexico has had on the United States. Many of us don't realize that Cinco de Mayo is not actually a celebration of independence, but of a single battle that had an immeasurable impact on both Mexico and on the ongoing civil war in the United States.

On the morning of May 5, 1862 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City. This victory kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels, which led to the Confederates' defeat at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla. In truth, Mexico essentially ended the United States' civil war.

Union forces were then rushed to the Mexico border under General Phil Sheridan to help expel the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City. Because of our help, Mexicans have offered assistance to the the United States after Pearl Harbor and in the Persian Gulf War.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration freedom, liberty, and the joining of cultures to fight for these great causes. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans share.

Please click here for the article.