Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mexican Pride: Cinco de Mayo
When I went to San Luís Potosí, Mexico, to teach English, I was surprised to find that May
5 was not a national holiday. It was a major event in Puebla but was scarcely celebrated in
San Luís Potosi. It's a big fiesta in the U.S., and I assumed it was celebrated all over Mex-
ico. In fact, a lot of gringos think May 5 is Mexico's Independence Day. Here's one part of
the story.
May 5, 1862: The Mexican forces at Puebla defeated the superior invading French army.
This was the first time since Mexico's independence in 1821 that Mexicans won a victory
over a European army. It was a source of pride. But it was the beginning battle, not the final
victory. It still took five years to expel the French.
Ignacio Zaragosa, named for San Ignacio, the founder of the Jesuit Order, was the victorious
general at Puebla. General Zaragosa was born in 1829 in Goliad, Texas, while it was still
part of Mexico.
