Viva Cinco de Mayo!

Posted on May 5, 2004 in Festivals

This day marks an important milestone in the struggle of the Americas for self-determination. A force of adventurers from Europe was defeated near Puebla, Mexico on this date in 1862.

We honor this date in this household because it marks the triumph of liberty over colonialism. Maximillian and his army of Austrians and Frenchmen wanted to subjugate the Mexican people, who had been self-determining since 1820. Every American of every American nation should join Mexico in celebrating this holiday. It marks the day when Americans said to Europe “You shall not conquer us. You shall not turn us into your slaves. You shall pay for the luxuries you obtain from us, treat us as equal partners in the trade.”

What made the Mexican Adventure possible was the fact that the United States was embroiled in the Civil War. Without our intervention on behalf of our fellow Americans, Maximillian his henchmen, and a few Mexican Quislings (conservatives) crippled the free Mexican state until 1867. As I wrote last year: “After the end of the American Civil War, the U.S. government sent its surplus weapons, uniforms, and medical supplies to assist the legitimate Mexican government. Many Union soldiers and officers also helped the Mexican cause. Defeated Confederates were lured by promises of land and slavery to fight on the side of the usurper Maxmillian, who tried to establish himself as an emperor in a free land. They lost again, as they deserved.”

• Cinco de Mayo History
  
• Cinco de Mayo History
  
• Tips for Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
  
• A symbol of the right of nations to self determination (SF Chronicle editorial from 1996)
  
• The stupidest Mexican-bashing songs from Rock-n-roll