Mexico defeats France in Battle of Puebla

As the month of May begins, people across the United States and Mexico looks forward to Cinco de Mayo. This day celebrates the victory in the Battle of Puebla, in which the Mexican army defeated the French army.

Many people outside of Mexico believe that Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexican independence. Mexico declared their independence from Spain more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Mexico’s independence day is celebrated on Sept. 16 every year.

The reason Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo is for their shocking defeat of the French squad in the Battle of Puebla. Led by General Charles Latrille de Lorencez, the French had 6,000 troops compared to Mexico’s 2,000 troops led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza.

The battle lasted from the morning to late evening. After the French retreated, they had lost more than 500 troops and the Mexican army lost fewer than 100. This was a major home defend for the Mexican army and they won the war in 1867 with the help from the United States.

In Mexico this holiday is not a federal holiday so banks, offices and stores stay open. But in the state of Puebla this day celebrates Zaragoza’s unlikely victory. Traditions are military parades, recreation of the Battle of Puebla and other festival activities.

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In the U.S. this day is to celebrate the Mexican heritage and culture. Parades, parties, dancing and eating Mexican food is way of celebrate. Spanish teacher Rachel Rodriguez wants her students to learn what the true purpose behind Cinco de Mayo is.

“We will be doing a short overview of what Cinco de Mayo is all about,” Rodriguez said. “Yes, we will have a fiesta. We will celebrate México’s victory over France that took place in the town of Puebla, México. I want my students to learn that Cinco de Mayo is not México’s independence day, that is on September 16th. Cinco de Mayo is a victory battle over the France. In México, Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated as we do here.”

Students from Spanish 1, 2 and 3 will all have a fiesta to celebrate. Connor Martin, ‘19, look forward to learning more about the Mexican heritages and cultures.

“I’m excited for Cinco de Mayo,” Martin said. “I’m looking forward to eating a lot of Mexican food. I want to learn more about the Mexican culture and their history background.”

Celeste Counts, ’18, wants to learn about their culture and how they live their daily life.

“I’m looking forward to eat and hangout with my friends,” Counts said. “I know señorita will teach us a lot about the Mexican cultures and heritages. It’s gonna be a very fun Friday, besides having fun I want to learn about their history.”

All of the Spanish classes will have their fiesta for Cinco de Mayo, May 5.

For another article, read: Zoology, AP biology take trip to Cat Haven.

This writer can be reached via email: John Monke.