Because Texas was once a part of Mexico, it has a strong Mexican heritage. That is why Texas celebrates the popular Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.
In fact, many towns and cities throughout Texas have festivals to celebrate Mexico’s most famous military victory. About 4,000 Mexican soldiers fought the much larger French army at Puebla, Mexico, on the morning of May 5, 1862. In honor of this victory, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as an annual holiday.
The French had landed in Mexico along with Spanish and English troops to help collect debts from President Benito Juarez. While the English and Spanish made deals and left, the French stayed. They wanted to rule the Mexican empire. The French invaded Mexico, traveling from the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west.
Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa and the cavalry under the direction of Colonel Diaz (later to be Mexico’s president and dictator), the Mexicans waited. Diaz took his cavalry out to meet the French, and the French could not overcome the Mexicans.
The remaining French infantry tried to overpower the Mexicans, but there was a thunderstorm that frightened
hundreds of cattle, which in turn started a stampede. When the battle was over, many French soldiers were wounded and killed, and the cavalry was chased away. The Mexicans had won a great victory.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates freedom and liberty. Many people think Cinco de Mayo is when Mexico declared independence. That is not true. Mexico declared independence from Spain on the 15 of September, 1810, and it took 11 more years before the first Spanish soldiers were forced to leave Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates freedom and liberty. Many people think Cinco de Mayo is when Mexico declared independence. That is not true. Mexico declared independence from Spain on the 15 of September, 1810, and it took 11 more years before the first Spanish soldiers were forced to leave Mexico.
Freedom and liberty are worth fighting for and they are worth celebrating, especially on Cinco de Mayo. Viva! el Cinco de Mayo!
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. Why does Texas have a long Mexican heritage?
2. Describe the invasion leading up to the Mexican victory, detailed in the text.
2. Describe the invasion leading up to the Mexican victory, detailed in the text.
3. Explain why Cinco de Mayo is considered Mexico’s most famous military victory.
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