Throughout my life I’ve seen a few versions of Cinco de Mayo represented in modern media. Bars, restaurants, and grocery stores will advertise deals on supplies for tacos and margarita specials. I’ve witnessed people driving along Washington Ave. in downtown Minneapolis hanging out of their cars in fake mustaches and sombreros on their way to party. I’ve also heard people misunderstand it as “Mexican Independence Day,” which actually falls on Sept. 16. Somewhere along the line, this piece of cultural history’s roots were lost and it became nearly as much of a debaucherous drinking holiday as St. Patrick’s Day has become.
Let’s set the record straight. Cinco de Mayo as we know it today is generally celebrated in Puebla, Mexico and parts of the United States to memorialize an unlikely victory for the Mexican army. On May 5, 1862, during the Second French intervention from 1861-1867, the Battle of Puebla took place. The French army not only outnumbered the Mexican army, but they were generally better-armed, too. After attacking and taking the Port of Veracruz, before reaching Mexico City, the French were stopped at forts Loreto and Guadalupe near Puebla. The undersized army of roughly 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the French army almost double its size; it was a significant victory that created a sense of optimism and patriotism for the Mexican people who were losing morale.
This Cinco de Mayo, I don’t want those celebrating the holiday to forego it. As someone of Mexican descent, my greater wish is that people take the time to be thoughtful about how they celebrate. Support local, Mexican-owned restaurants and producers to celebrate our cuisine. If you’d like to prepare your own feast for the day, grab supplies from Mexican-owned businesses like the following:
