The French began mucking around in Mexico in 1861, because the United States had more pressing matters to attend to than to get froggy about a violation of the Monroe Doctrine.
Despite the victory and despite heavy guerrilla resistance by Mexican patriots, the French were able to set up a puppet regime in Mexico. By 1866, with some realization that the United States now had the largest navy and the most battle-hardened army on the planet, the French began to withdraw. The United States helped things along by "losing" arsenals of weapons to the Mexican resistance.
For some reason, the French puppet emperor of Mexico, Maximilian I, didn't flee. He was captured, given a trial by court-martial, and, along with two of his generals, shot by a firing squad on June 19, 1867.
Max is on the right side.
The story was that Maximilian paid the firing squad not to shoot him in the head, so that his mother could view his body after he was embalmed and sent home. They kept to the bargain.
The generals died shouting "long live the Emperor". Which was sort of futile, as they shot Max first.
Anyway, today isn't supposed to be a day for stupid Anglos to get wasted. That's St. Patrick's Day.
'Tisn't really celebrated in Mexico (except Puebla), just here in the US. No one really knows why it is a holiday. Some folks (even those of Mexican descent) think it is the "Mexican 4th of July"....
ReplyDeleteActually, B., all public schools in Mexico close on May 5th. Also, observations are made in the States of Puebla and Veracruz, who both have Offical Holidays on May 5th. Elsewhere in Mexico, there's also the occasional military parade in celebration, most often in Mexico City. Sounds like a celebration to me.
ReplyDeleteActually, all public schools don't. Been there on 5/5 several times. They do in Puebla. Outside of Puebla (and maybe Veracruz), it isn't even a holiday. Even in Puebla, it isn't much of a holiday. Just a parade.
ReplyDeleteIt is, really, a Californian holiday.
Every day is an excuse for gringos to get drunk.
ReplyDeletefrom what I've learned, the southern Cal high schools began celebrating Cinco De Mayo because it was towards the end of school years, while the Mexican Independence Day was in September and nobody wanted to celebrate anything then.
And Gen. Zaragoza hero of the Battle of Puebla was a badass and should be honored as such.
Well, numerous sources contradict your assertion about the schools. How about the International Business Times:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ibtimes.com/cinco-de-mayo-2015-holiday-celebrated-mexico-history-facts-misconceptions-about-may-1909545
A Spanish learning website with no incentive to lie:
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/mexico/society/holidays/cinco-de-mayo
The Latin Post:
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/11800/20140505/cinco-de-mayo-mexico-holiday.htm
All I know about it is that the party in East Oakland for it is really something...
ReplyDelete-Doug in Oakland
On the ground observation as recently as 3 years ago contradicts your journalists.
ReplyDeleteSo do my relatives, who are Mexicans.
But hey, reality is what you believe, right?
So B., once again you decide that "you" know better. You refuse to consider that your "observation" may possibly be less acccurate, because your "knowledge" is superior. If you had said that in your experience X is true, fine...but now you have to state that the "journalists" are wrong, as a statement of fact. It seems to me, entirely likely, that you are suffering the signs of "fake news denial" syndrome. There are numerous other data points, including school calendes that show the day as one when schools are closed.
ReplyDeleteOn May 9th, 1962, a declaration by President Juarez made May 5th an observed holiday (vice a statutory holiday, which would be like our Federal Holidays, every big shouting down), something that included the closure of schools on that day.
So, CP....your perception beats observations? Really?
ReplyDeleteJust because some journalist writes something and because you wish it to be true it must be? Because some journalist wrote something that fits into your worldview?
I've been there (in several places over the years) on 5/5. Have you?
I have relatives there. Do you?
Is your worldview what you read from some journalist whose veracity you never questioned?
Cinco De Mayo is NOT celebrated in Mexico much except in Puebla, and even there it is a small parade and yes, there, the kids get a day off. In the rest of Mexico, no, except in bars, where they always need an excuse for another drink special.
B, when the published school calendar shows a day off for May 5th and then you say it's wrong, whose worldview is skewed?
ReplyDeleteI never suggested widespread celebrations, you suggest I did so with no evidence.
Your belief is paramount, over facts.
CP88 and B:
ReplyDeleteYou've made your points.
Knock it off, both of you.
Awwwww. But it WAS entertaining!
ReplyDeleteDale
As you wish.
ReplyDeleteBut he started it.........
"Anyway, today isn't supposed to be a day for stupid Anglos to get wasted. That's St. Patrick's Day"
ReplyDeleteThat's golden!