Tuesday Tidbits: Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo in Mexico and in the United States; a celebration of Mexican and Mexican-American Heritage and a commemoration of the victory of the Mexican Army over the French Army of Napoleon III. A brief history of Cinco de Mayo from the Model D Website:

La Batalla de Puebla (The Battle of Puebla): Following independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican-American War, and the Mexican Civil War, in 1862 Mexico found itself the target of French colonialism. Napoleon III decided to expand the French empire into the Americas, and sent troops to invade Mexico. En route to Mexico’s capital, the long-undefeated French army — estimated at between 6,000 and 8,000 troops — was met by an scantily equipped but very determined Mexican and Native American militia numbering half those of the French. The Mexicans, led by General Ignacio S. Zaragoza, persevered and won the battle. To this day, Cinco de Mayo is enthusiastically celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico, where the French army was stopped.

 The City of Detroit has the largest concentration of people of Mexican heritage in Michigan! The Cinco de Mayo Parade was held last Sunday, but there is still plenty of time today to celebrate by patronizing one of the great restaurants in Mexicantown.

 

Photo Credits: Model D