Today, in 1862, the Mexican Army defeated an invading French force at the Battle of Puebla.
That’s why May 5 — or “Cinco de Mayo” — was named an official Mexican holiday by then president of Mexico Benito Juarez.
The victory, however, was short lived. The French regrouped, won the second Battle of Puebla in May 1863 and took control of Mexico City.
But that 1862 victory was memorable enough today that millions of Mexico’s neighbors in the U.S. express solidarity by donning sombreros, drinking margaritas and gorging on tortilla chips and salsa.
In Mexico, the celebration is much more subdued.
“In Mexico, it’s a holiday, but not celebrated with big parties like it is here,” said Sxochitl Delgado, who works at Mi Toro, a Mexican restaurant, in Columbus.
Delgado has called Mississippi home for seven years. Before moving to Nashville from Mexico in 2004, she had no idea Cinco de Mayo was celebrated so widely in the U.S. Most people, she believes, do not know what they are tossing back all that tequila for.
Gilberto Barreto, a manager at Mi Toro, was also puzzled at his adopted home’s celebration of his native country’s minor holiday.
“I don’t really think the Battle of Puebla is a big deal,” Barreto laughed. “We’re happy about it but…”
Barreto said it is a very good day for business at Mi Toro, where he has worked for 12 years. The restaurant’s specials today will only extend to the bar: domestic beers will be 99¢; imported beers will be $1.50.
Beer is ultimately what made Cinco de Mayo reach holiday status in America.
According to Michael McGrew with Constellation Brands, a company that represents Corona Extra, beer accounts for 58 percent of the alcohol consumed on Cinco de Mayo. Corona, the most consumed Mexican beer, saw its sales rise 6 percent last Cinco de Mayo, McGrew said.
“Cinco de Mayo has become one of the biggest occasions for beer consumption in the U.S., surpassing St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and the Super Bowl,” McGrew told The Dispatch via email.
Jose Cuervo, one of Mexico’s oldest and widest known makers of tequila, has embraced the fact that many U.S. residents do not know what they are celebrating. The tequila company invited their 44,000 Twitter followers to invent their own Cinco de Mayo story, make it into a video and submit it under the hashtag “#WriteYourCinco.”.
“People here think it’s independence day, but it’s not,” said Javier Ramirez, who has worked at Mi Hacienda, another Mexican restaurant in Columbus, for three years.
Mexico’s day of independence is September 16.
Ramirez said Cinco de Mayo is always a busy day at Mi Hacienda. The restaurant will offer two-for-one margaritas. The jumbo margarita will also be discounted.
In his native Mexico, Ramirez said the holiday is observed, but no parties are held, no one gets work off. He said it is well known that the holiday is celebrated more in the U.S., something he and many other Mexicans find amusing.
It doesn’t bother them, he said, it’s just interesting.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
