Cinco de Mayo

Viva! el Cinco de Mayo! This is a day to celebrate in the United States and in Mexico, especially in the city of Puebla. We observe this day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride, and of course, to drink! *cheers* In Pueblo, however, it is to commemorate the unlikely victory over France (those damn Frenchmen) during the battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862). People seem to think this is the Mexican Independence day, but those people are wrong! Are you one of those people? In the event that you are, I won't say they're stupid for thinking that, they're just flat out wrong! 
Apparently, events leading up the Cinco de Mayo is what left Mexico Bankrupt. There's a long explanation for this but I'll give it to you on a bumper sticker. France and Britain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew their naval forces but the French, well they did not! Napoleon III took this opportunity to establish a Latin empire in Mexico to favor the French interests. This resulted in the battle of Puebla and the Mexicans came through! Their 4,000 men army fought a much stronger, better equipped French army and won! This did not end the war. It was just a major stepping stone and we celebrate it with reason still to this day! 
The French still managed to win and rule for three years but then the Mexican's got together with their cousins, the American's, and shot the Frenchman dead! He might have been hanged, it's hard to say. Either way, they executed him, along with his Mexican Generals (fucking traitors). 
This had impact on the Civil War and ultimately played a big part in the United States building the biggest army EVER and defeating the south at Gettysburg. Thus, a reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the states. 


For those interested in the Civil War history:
It has been argued that the goal of France was to break up the American Union by helping the Southern Confederacy. Mexico won a great victory, keeping Napolean III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year. During this year the United States was able to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. The U.S. celebrated victory at Gettysburg 14 months after the battle of Puebla, creating a major turning point in the Civil War. So, there is great reason behind the celebration the 5th day of May. 
Justo Sierra has written, "had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla, France would have gone to the aid of the South in the U.S. Civil War and the United States' destiny could have been very different." 


So, hug a Mexican today.