Today is May 5. Do you know why we celebrate it?It is a date to celebrate the pride of being Mexican that has spread throughout all the cities of the United States. Do you know its origin and the reason why we celebrate it?
This article was translated from ourSpanish edition.
Today isMay 5and 160 years have passed since the Mexican army, led by GeneralIgnacio Zaragoza, defeated the French army in theBattle of Puebla.
After theWar of Reform, the country, governed at that time by Benito Juárez, suffered a profound crisis anddefaulted on the debtit owed to Spain, France and England. Tension increased and the three countries sent troops into Mexican territory seeking to exert pressure on the Juárez government. To avoid an outbreakof war, the Soledad Treatieswere signed on February 19, 1862, in which the debt was renegotiated. Spain and England withdrew their troops, but France decided to invade Mexico on April 27 of that same year, advancing towards the city of Puebla de los Ángeles, which is located 155 kilometers southwest of Mexico City.
Despite the marked differences between the two armies, the Mexican troops managed to contain the attacks at the Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe and ended up defeating the French army. In 1863 there was a second French intervention and when Juárez asked all parties to join the cause,米格尔纳格力特, his opponent, pronounced his famous phrase:"I have a country before a party".
And what did the United States have to do with all this?
At the same time, in the United States, the Civil War was being fought as a result of a controversy over slavery between the northern states and the southern states. According to historians, the similarity between the struggles motivated by ideals of freedom, democracy and anti-racism made Mexicans working in California and Texas (once territories of Mexico) celebrate the triumph of Ignacio Zaragoza's army every year on that date.
Over time, the celebration became popular until it became what it is today:a day to celebrate Mexicannesswith food, parades, parties, drinks and music. In some places it is also known asMexican Pride Dayand it is an opportunity to celebrate it in your business, even if you are not Mexican.
