The History of Cinco de Mayo (and where to get tequila and nachos in Los Angeles)
By GillianS
updated 3 months ago
Cinco de Mayo is great. I love margaritas, tequila, salsa and getting drunk on a specific day of the year (also known as holidays). Even though I'm sure they tried to teach me in Spanish class, I have no idea what Cinco de Mayo is. So here it is: a guide to getting drunk on a Monday (in 2008) and a history lesson, wrapped up in one like an educational burrito.
WTF, Benito?
On July 17, 1861 while the United States was embroiled in our Civil War, Benito Juarez, then president of Mexico decided to suspend his countries interest payments to foreign countries. As you might imagine, the countries that were owed money were not too happy about this and on October 31, they – France, Spain and Great Britain – signed the Treaty of London in which they agreed to combine forces to get their money.
They serve flaming margaritas and once I saw Pauly Shore here. It doesn’t get much better than that.
They serve flaming margaritas and once I saw Pauly Shore here. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Look out, Veracruz!
On December 8, 1861 the Spanish fleet, accompanied by troops from Spanish-controlled Cuba, arrived in the Mexican port of Veracruz. By early January of 1862, the French and British joined them and the city of Campeche had surrendered to the European forces by February 5.
Sharon Tate had her last meal at the sprawling and delicious L.A. landmark before she was killed by the Manson family. If had their enchiladas for dinner, I think I could die happy. Sorry, is that in poor taste?
Sharon Tate had her last meal at the sprawling and delicious L.A. landmark before she was killed by the Manson family. If had their enchiladas for dinner, I think I could die happy. Sorry, is that in poor taste?
Fresh Made, With Salt
Hey, Frenchies. What are you really up to?
By April, the Spanish and the British figured out that France had ulterior motives for this invasion. They weren’t just trying to get their money back, they wanted to install a monarchy so they could control the rich mines of northwest Mexico. When their allies figured it out, they withdrew their troops, not wanting to help them out or draw ire from the powerful but distracted United States.
Ole!
Hit something colorful with a bat and candy comes out! Genius.
In late April of 1862, the French Army, led by General Charles de Lorencez, made an agreement with Mexico to with withdraw their troops to the coast before resuming battle. However, during the course of the conflict, many French soldiers had become ill and were unable to make the trip back to the shore. When Puebla locals spotted these soldiers wandering the streets with rifles, they had to assume that hostilities had resumed and they were none too pleased. When the Mexicans complained to Lorencez, he took it as a threat to attack his sick soldiers and was having none of it. The withdrawl was off.
This incident was no doubt the basis for today’s aphorism “Never trust a Frenchman to pull out.”
With a name like Tequilas, it has to get you drunk.
With a name like Tequilas, it has to get you drunk.
Victory!
After suffering a defeat on April 28 at Alcuzingo, Mexican Commander General, Ingancio Zaragoza Seguin retreated to the heavily fortified city of Puebla. Lorencez was led to believe that the people of Puebla were friendly to the French, and that they would quickly surrender at the first show of force, so on May 5, 1862, the French invaded the city of Puebla.
Lorencez started his attack late in the day but by the time the third infantry began its advance, the artillery were out of ammunition and they went unsupported. As they retreated, Zaragoza flanked the French and it began to rain. The slippery conditions worked against Lorencez who ended up losing 462 troops to only 83 Mexicans.
Though they were outnumbered, outorganzied and outarmed, the Mexicans had defeated the powerful French army on May 5, 1862. CINCO DE MAYO!
Present Day Puebla
Legends
Today, Cinco de Mayo is not an official Mexican holiday and is celebrated only regionally. The significance is attributed to many legends about the fateful battle that include unsubstantiated reports of Mexican farmers armed only with machetes and French troops being trampled by a herd of patriotic vacas (cows).
As far as I can tell, the celebration has made its way to the United States, mostly because we love any excuse to have a fiesta.
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