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. 

April Fools

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What's on Your Reading List?

I'm just curious to know what you're reading or what you like to read. Do you read books or magazines? Either way, I think reading is a great stress reliever. I know someone who reads everything on the internet, including entire books. Devil has gotten into the "reader" which is a Kindle, I think. He reads all of his books on that thing. Me, I prefer a book to hold, to smell and to flip pages. It's part of the experience, I think. Anyway, what is it you're reading or you like to read? That's the reason for this post. lol.

I'm currently reading "Brute" which is a story about one of the most known Marines in history. He got his start in World War II which is why I'm reading it. The last book I read was about the Japanese Submarine that was sunk, which was a pivotal point for the U.S. but we didn't know it at the time.

Now it's your turn..

Randy, Thank you for my Windmill

Randy, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for refurbishing a windmill just for me. You are such a thoughtful and selfless man. You know my love of history and windmills and when you found this one in the eaves of an old barn you thought of me. You never hesitated and you knew that it would involve a lot of your time and still you climbed into the rafters and retrieved it and then you spent countless hours sanding it, pounding out the dents and then painting it. You didn't stop there though. You found out the history of it and you wrote it down, by hand, and mailed it to me in the crate you shipped out to Texas only after you had completely restored it. I want you to know that it means a lot to me that you would do that for me. Each time I walk out our front door I see it and it makes me smile and when someone asks about it, I tell them the story (even if they don't want to hear it). Randy, you are a good man. Thank you!