Before we get out the Coronas and Tequila, I'd like to share a brief history lesson and a few fun facts:
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army in 1862, at the battle of Puebla. Mexico's economy was hurting, so they borrowed a lot of money from a lot of countries. They settled their debt with the US during the Mexican-American War, but still owed money to France.
Well, they didn't like France. Mexico decided not to pay back their debts, which pissed the Frenchies off. France decided to name one of Napoleon's relatives, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as Mexico's new ruler.
France invaded, and Mexico kicked their butt. So in essence, you're not only celebrating a Mexican victory, you're celebrating a French defeat.
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| I fart in your general direction! |
Oh well. Olé!
Fun Cinco de Mayo traditions around the globe include:
- An air guitar competition in the Cayman Islands, in the Caribbean Islands.
- Mexican beer drinking competition in the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean.
- The Cinco de Mayo Culture Festival in Denver, Colorado includes exhibits of Mexican music, Spanish and Latin and Tex-Mex outdoor rock music concerts.
- Douglas Park in Chicago, Illinois organizes a festival, full of musical events, snack bars and cultural displays.
And drinking. Lots and lots of drinking.
So remember, as you drink your Dos Equis and do body-shots off that cute girl at the bar: Down with France! Kick your debt-collector's ass! And viva Mexico!!
I'll leave you with a little mariachi music, a la Pablo Francisco...
...si.
