Happy Cinco de Mayo

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

Si senores, today was Cinco de Mayo, a day of fireworks, treats and drinking. And in my town, lots of picnics.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates, not Mexican Independence as many believe, but the celebration of the victory of Mexican forces against the French at the Battle of Puebla.

[moi621 (imported)]

Battle of Puebla.

But, it was "The French"

What's to celebrate?

[Riverwind (imported)]

Careful, don't bash the French.

I have some Avocado dip at the store, to hot. Years ago I would have ate the whole bowl but today my stomach just wont handle it, damn.

OH Well Happy Cinco.

River

[kristoff]

Ate my way from one end of the Lake Street Cinco de Mayo celebration to the other, then back. And so many cute boys.... The Battle of Puebla must have been worth it.

[Patrickchemcast (imported)]

Si senores, today was Cinco de Mayo, a day of fireworks, treats and drinking. And in my town, lots of picnics.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates, not Mexican Independence as many believe, but the celebration of the victory of Mexican forces against the French at the Battle of Puebla.

I am french and WILL NOT celebrate a victory like this one !!!!

[Losethem (imported)]

Or as one of my Hispanic friends calls, "Cinco de drinko."

--LT

[devi (imported)]

There is a little (actually a lot more) to the Cinco de Mayo occasion. This is an abbreviated version to the best of my understanding: After the independence of of the Latin American countries, the Hapsburg empire defaulted on it's loans having lost most of it's major posessions. Creditors of the world did not take this lightly and finally decided to apportion the amount owed to each and all of the former colonies. In other words they were too pay up or get obliterated. Mexico being percieved as the weakest and most divided was the first major country to become "recolonized". Troops were sent into Mexico from all of the major powers of Europe (not just France) in order to make them pay up for their "debts" (no matter that most of the silver and gold had already been taken into Spain and spent). Later most of the other foreign troops were removed for other purposes giving Mexico over to Emporer Maximillian (France). The battle of puebla surprised the French for several reasons. The ensuing war went on for another decade before Mexico finally gained independence.

[Dave (imported)]

I'm just tinkled pink and pleased as punch that what I thought was a celebration of a condiment turned into a huge, balls-to-the-wall festival of fun.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

Or as one of my Hispanic friends calls, "Cinco de drinko."

--LT

Cinco de Drinko fits too

[Sweetpickle (imported)]

Cinco de Mayo is a testament to French chauvinism, as useless in war as they always have been.

It also signaled the death throes of the european monarchies.

Viva Mexico