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Cinco de Mayo

Early May means its time once again to celebrate
Cinco de Mayo, the holiday that commemorates the state of Pueblas
victory over the French on May 5th.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Following the loss of the Mexican-American War in
1848, Mexico was financially and morally defeated. In 1861, President
Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign-debt payments
would be suspended for a period of two years. Furious and eager
to collect payment, England, France, and Spain invaded Mexico.
However, unknown to the other countries, France planned
to impose a monarchical government upon the nations of Central and
South America. Shortly after President Juarez offered a type of
promissory note that guaranteed payments on its debt after the two
years, England and Spain returned home, but the French continued
their siege on Mexico.
On May 5, 1862, Juarez commanded General Ignacio
Zaragoza to block the advance of the French forces at the fortified
hills of Loreto and Guadalupe near the city of Puebla. With only
2,000 men, most of them local Zacapoaxtla Indians from the Puebla
region of Mexico with no formal military training and little weaponry,
the locals were able to briefly defeat the French army of 6,000.
The victory was short-lived, and soon after, France
conquered Puebla and the rest of Mexico, ruling until 1867. Through
a popular revolt, Juarez was finally restored to power, remaining
leader of Mexico until he died in 1872.
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
The first Cinco de Mayo celebrations began in Puebla,
Mexico but today the holiday is one enjoyed throughout the US, especially
in Texas. Most Texas cities have a day or more of festivities; heres
a look at two of the largest:
AUSTIN: The capital city of Austin hosts the
annual Cinco
de Mayo Music Festival, featuring an array of activities including
Little Cinco, a Jalapeño Eating Contest, and dance contests
including Salsa, Jitterbug, Polka and more. On most years, the festival
draws from 20-35,000 attendees.
SAN ANTONIO: San
Antonio draws about 30,000 to its festivities with food booths
at its historic Market Square, street dancing, handicrafts, concerts
and other commemorations. Everyone from mariachis and folkloric
dancers to Tejano and conjunto groups provide plenty of entertaining
activities.
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