Amigos y amigas, novias y chulitas! Gracias por Cinco De Mayo!
Yesterday, we remember the Battle of Puebla. On May 5, 1862, 8,000 well equipped French fought against a Mexican army. Poorly equipped, outgunned and out numbered two to one, the Mexicans decisively defeated the French.
While this battle is celebrated in Mexico, especially Puebla, the celebrations in the US are bigger, because this was more important for the US than Mexico. Those French troops were not going to stay in Mexico. they were going to invade the US, trying to take back the Louisiana purchase. The US was fighting our own Civil Ear, and was in no way ready to fight another war at the same time.
Thanks to Mexico, we did not have to. Thanks to Mexico, we were able to end the Civil War without foreign interference.
Mexico, however, had to suffer under French rule. Unshackled for the Civil War, the US was able to turn out attention south. The US did not intervene in the struggle, but did send the Mexican rebels gold, repeating rifles, ammunition, and Gatling guns.
On June 5, 1867, the Great Benito Juarez entered Mexico City, formally ending the French occupation,
I love Mexican cuisine. I love Mexican culture. I love Mexico. I love Mexicans (especially Mexicanas). I hate El Tri.