“Cinco de Mayo: History and Celebrations in the US and New York Area”

Friday marks the 161st anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla when Mexican troops defeated France in 1862.

Although it is a relatively minor party in Mexico, in the United States, it has become an annual party that for many is an excuse to enjoy the traditions and gastronomic delights of the Aztec country.

Many people tend to confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, known as El Grito de Independencia, which is actually celebrated on September 16 when Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain.

In fact, in Mexico, May 5 is not a celebration but a day to commemorate the victory of this nation over the French during the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

What is the history?

The Mexican army, led by Ignacio Zaragoza, a 33-year-old Texan from Goliad, defeated French forces at Puebla, a city located about 70 miles southeast of the capital, with half the troops and less means of warfare. The withdrawal of French troops represented a great victory for the people of Mexico, symbolizing the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty against a powerful foreign nation.

Four days later, Juárez declared this day a national holiday. But France ended up conquering the country and dominating it for three years between 1864 and 1867. The United States was in the midst of a civil war, and the Mexican victory that day prevented the French from continuing north and helping the Confederates, so this battle could perhaps have changed the course of American history.

When did the date begin to be celebrated in the US?

The first American celebrations of Cinco de Mayo date back to the 1860s, when Mexicans in California commemorated the victory over France in Puebla. At that time, the United States was embroiled in a Civil War. News of the helpless Mexican army defeating the forces of Napoleon III gave new strength to Latinos in California, who sought to stop the advances of the Confederate army.

“For Mexicans in the United States, the Civil War and the French invasion of Mexico were like a war on two fronts. They were concerned that France, which sided with the Confederacy, was on the doorstep of the United States,” he said. David Hayes-Bautista, professor of medicine and director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the University of California, Los Angeles, told NBC News.

About a century later, Chicano activists rediscovered the fiesta and accepted it as a symbol of ethnic pride. However, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations that take place in the United States today did not become popular until American beer companies began targeting their advertising at the Hispanic population in the 1970s and 1980s, said José Alamillo. , a Chicano studies professor in California, told Time.com.

Currently, Cinco de Mayo in the United States is primarily a celebration of Mexican-American culture.

How can I celebrate May 5 in the New York area?

• Parade of the celebration of May 5: This will take place on Sunday, May 7 starting at 12:00 pm in Central Park West from 106th Street on the Upper West Side. People who attend the parade will meet various groups with comparsas, music and more.
• Mexican restaurant on a boat (On the Boat): La Barca Cantina is New York City’s first and only floating Mexican restaurant and sails up the Hudson River. The ship reopens on Thursday, May 4 for the summer season. More information here.
• Cinco de Mayo Cruise Party: A package that includes food and drinks would take you to celebrate May 5 on a cruise through New York City. More here.
• Visit some of the most desirable Mexican food restaurants in the Big Apple:
  • The Abode (In The Bronx): It is a family owned and operated Oaxaca restaurant in the South Bronx. The goal is to preserve and share Mexican indigenous cuisine. More here.
  • The Cactus Shop (Brooklyn): Located in the heart of Brooklyn is The Cactus Shop, a vibrant hidden gem that melds the worlds of bar, bistro and boutique in a seductive atmosphere reminiscent of an authentic Mexican cantina. More here.
  • Tacos No. 1 (Various locations): Street style tacos. More information here.