By Steve Elliott
Editor

If you’ve just gotten over your Fiesta hangover, buckle up for another weekend of parties, as San Antonio gears up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

While this historical day is celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the United States – there’s even a Cinco de Mayo Barbie available – it is a holiday that San Antonio residents can embrace.

Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities, as it celebrates the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Four thousand Mexican soldiers triumphed over twice as many French fighters during the battle.

Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the “Batalla de Puebla” came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico, and all of Latin America, were willing to defend itself against any foreign intervention.

Cinco de Mayo’s history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850s. Years of not only fighting the Americans, but also a civil war, had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

The English, Spanish and French refused to allow President Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine, which advocated America for the Americans.

In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 poorly equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the “Batalla de Puebla” on the fifth of May. In the United States, the “Batalla de Puebla” came to be known as simply “5 de Mayo” and unfortunately, many people wrongly equate it with Mexican Independence which was on Sept. 16, 1810, nearly a 50-year difference.

Although it is no more an officially recognized holiday than St. Patrick’s Day in the United States, many cities display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate students about its historical significance, especially in the Spanish language classes.

Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration with advertising for products and services with an emphasis on foods, beverages, and music. However, some Mexicans, both in Mexico and in the United States, reject all celebration of Cinco de Mayo, considering it a North American commercial gimmick rather than an authentically Mexican event.

Of course, perhaps no other town in Texas is as closely linked to the state’s Mexican heritage as San Antonio. This year, the Alamo City has a variety of celebrations for Cinco de Mayo slated to be held at historic Market Square May 5 to 7.

Commercialized or not, Cinco de Mayo is still a party — a party that celebrates freedom and liberty.  There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the May 5, 1862. 

Cinco de Mayo at Tower of the Americas

Admission is free to this event at the Tower of the Americas. Visitors can enjoy Mexican food grilled over an open pit and musical entertainment throughout the day. Theme food and bar areas are set up throughout the grounds. For more information, call 223-3101. The entertainment schedule includes mariachi performances from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; a Ballet Folklorico performance from 6:30 to 6:50 p.m.; lottery and candy piñatas at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.; another Ballet Folkorico performance from 7:30 to 7:50 p.m.; and the Leslie Lugo Band from 7 to 10 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo at Market Square

Cinco de Mayo events at San Antonio’s historic Market Square include a festival with music, food and entertainment. Call 207-8600 for more information.

Target Cinco de Mayo

This concert will take place on May 6, 2007 at Guadalupe Theatre, located at 1301 Guadalupe St. beginning with pre-concert activities at 5 p.m. The Target Cinco de Mayo is one of the nation’s leading professional Folklórico and Flamenco dance groups. The San Antonio Symphony, along with resident conductor David In-Jae Cho and the Guadalupe Dance Co., provide an evening filled with dance and music in a celebration of Mexico’s culture, history and pride. Program to include works by Moncayo, Revueltas, Lecuona and Gomez. For information, call 554-1010.