On Cinco de Mayo

I have a theory, there aren't any American drinking holidays between New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July. President's day, MLK day and Easter just don't lend themselves to wild college parties. So Americans had to go out and find some. St. Patrick's day seemed a good fit, a chance to drink green beer in March. But it was too long of a stretch between March 17 and July 4. Hum... what to do?... Good thing Mexicans have an obscure holiday in May. Cinco de Mayo fit the criteria perfectly. A holiday that seemed worthy of a party, but not a holiday that anyone knew anything about, much like St. Patricks day. So although most of the people packing the Mexican restaurants tomorrow won't really know what they are celebrating, there is one thing they know for sure, bottoms up!
To set the record straight, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence day and it isn't really celebrated in Mexico. Kids get the day off school, that's about it. No drink specials, no crazy parties, no parades, no fairs, no dance concerts. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a battle between a small Mexican army that defeated a larger more powerful french army in their advance toward the capital in 1862. Mexico had just gained Independence from Spain in 1821 after a long struggle. Mexico was in debt and it only got worse during the Yankee Invasion (Mexicans name for the Mexican-American war) and a civil war. After Mexico stopped paying their debt to France, they decided that they would just takeover. France sent an army, the Mexicans defeated them on Cinco de Mayo and Mexico reveled in it's victory for about a year. Then France sent more troops and they eventually lost the war and France occupied Mexico for a few years. Eventually Mexico did oust the French but not on Cinco de Mayo.
Mexican Independence day is September 16. It marks the start of the fight for independence in Mexico. There are fantastic celebrations all over Mexico starting on September 15 as the Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence) is announced by the president at the Zocalo at 11PM, just as Hidalgo did from the little church in 1810. Followed by the response of the people, VIVA MEXICO!
So, although Cinco de Mayo really isn't that big of a holiday, let's celebrate anyway. Let's celebrate and appreciate everything Mexican. With everything going on surrounding immigration, let's remember and appreciate our neighbors to the south and our neighbors next door. VIVA MEXICO!