Cinco de Why?

On this most sacred of days, May 5th (more popularly referred to as Cinco de Mayo), it occurs to me that the American people just need an excuse to drink. And what better day or reason than to help celebrate with our neighbors in Mexico on their Independence Day?

Oh, what's that you say? Mexican Independence day is not until September 16th? I am willing to bet if you go to any local Mexican bar/restaurant and ask the people, that are steadily consuming alcoholic beverages there, why they are drinking, they will probably all tell you the same thing: Mexican Independence Day!

Wrong. Nope. Not even close. Any other guesses? Probably not...well, you might get some extremely intelligent people that will say the Alamo. *face-palm*

So what then are these Americans celebrating exactly? It makes perfect sense when you get down to it...or not:

Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a minuscule victory in a battle of the Mexican army over the French - that, in the long run, did not make any difference in the out come of the war.

(Warning: History lesson in next paragraph, so skip if history bores you.)

Let's go back almost 150 years ago to the year 1861. Mexico was not in the best of economic situations Mexican President Benito Juárez stopped making interest payments to countries that Mexico owed money to. In response, France attacked Mexico to force payment of this debt. France decided that it would try to take over and occupy Mexico. France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army.

Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on Mexico City. A year later, the French occupied Mexico.

Viva la Revolution.