Every year on May 5 my friends ask me how I celebrate Cinco de Mayo and I always jokingly answer “just like you.” Of course, this brings a puzzled look on their faces because, although I do speak Spanish fluently and can converse with Latinos from all over the world, they don’t realize that, being raised Cuban, I don’t do anything different for this Mexican holiday. Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and all Latin countries have their own, separate holidays. So, like most of you, I celebrate Cinco de Mayo by eating at my favorite Mexican restaurant and enjoying the sounds and flavors of Mexico. In fact, through the years Cinco de Mayo, which is today, has become a popular holiday that people in the U.S., regardless of their background, like to celebrate.
But while many people in the U.S. celebrate the day, most don’t realize that Cinco de Mayo has great historical significance in Mexican history. May 5 is a national holiday for Mexico–second only to September 16, Mexican Independence Day. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the “Battle of Puebla,” which came to be known as simply “5 de Mayo” in the United States and is seen as a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.
In 1862, a small group of trained Mexican peasants, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza, fought for their freedom against a regiment of 6,000 French soldiers under the command of Napoleon III. Napoleon wanted to secure French dominance in this former-Spanish colony and install one of his relatives as the ruler of Mexico. Although the French out-numbered the Mexican troops and were better equipped, the Mexicans were able to fight back and keep the French from invading, for the time being, winning a great victory.
The win also benefited the Union Army (remember, the U.S. was in the middle of its own Civil War at the time) because it kept Napoleon III from supplying the Confederate Army for another year, allowing the United States to build a strong army. This army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the Battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that it and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves from any foreign intervention.
Given the significance and symbolism of the day, it’s no wonder the holiday has become a major Mexican holiday. In Mexico, many people honor Cinco de Mayo by re-enacting the Battle of Puebla and Mexican-Americans living in the United States celebrate by holding parades, playing mariachi music, performing folkloric dancing and other types of festive activities. People from all cultures in the U.S. also take time to celebrate Hispanic culture on Cinco de Mayo with huge fairs, which include Mexican singing, dancing, feasting and entertainment–all of which you can find happening here in Pleasanton.
This past Wednesday, the Pleasanton Downtown Association kicked-off its First Wednesday street party series–one of the most popular events of the year–with a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Main Street was lined with brightly decorated booths that brought the theme to life. The parking lot at Roundtable Pizza was quickly converted into a gathering place for hundreds who enjoyed a variety of beverages while listening to the Latin sounds of eight-piece band, La Ventana. Pleasantonians of all ages spent an incredible evening dancing the night away to a variety of Latin and salsa sounds.
Of course, Pleasanton has special ties to Mexico since Tulancingo, Mexico is its sister city and the Pleasanton Sister City Tulancingo Association, which has been in existence for more than 23 years, has a celebration planned on May 7. The event is for members of the Association to share stories and pictures from the past April delegation trip. In addition, any community member who is interested in finding out more about the Sister City Association is invited to attend. Authentic Mexican food, drinks and music will be available for all to enjoy. It will also be a special event for the delegation of students traveling to Tulancingo this summer. Every year, a delegation of Pleasanton students has the opportunity to visit Mexico and in return, a Tulancingo student delegation visits Pleasanton. During the Cinco de Mayo event, students will find out who their Tulancingo exchange partner will be this year.
Local schools are also getting in the mood for Cinco de Mayo, namely Vintage Hills Elementary School, which is holding a PTA Spring Fundraiser Ro-Sham-Bo event today that is taking on the Cinco de Mayo theme. This event will celebrate Cinco de Mayo by offering Mexican food, enjoying Mexican music and holding a Ro-Sham-Bo competition between families, students and teachers.
Individuals throughout Mexico, the United States and here in Pleasanton all celebrate Cinco de Mayo in their special way. We all have fun, eat wonderful Mexican food and enjoy the culture and music of Mexico. And even if you can’t make it to an event around town, you can still celebrate the day. All it takes is a ‘fiesta’ with the three M’s of Mexican food, drink and music: Menudo, Margaritas and Mariachi!
