wildblue 7 #1 May 5, 2004 from http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico. So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862. The French had landed in Mexico (along with Spanish and English troops) five months earlier on the pretext of collecting Mexican debts from the newly elected government of democratic President (and Indian) Benito Juarez. The English and Spanish quickly made deals and left. The French, however, had different ideas. Under Emperor Napoleon III, who detested the United States, the French came to stay. They brought a Hapsburg prince with them to rule the new Mexican empire. His name was Maximilian; his wife, Carolota. Napoleon's French Army had not been defeated in 50 years, and it invaded Mexico with the finest modern equipment and with a newly reconstituted Foreign Legion. The French were not afraid of anyone, especially since the United States was embroiled in its own Civil War. The French Army left the port of Vera Cruz to attack Mexico City to the west, as the French assumed that the Mexicans would give up should their capital fall to the enemy -- as European countries traditionally did. Under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, (and the cavalry under the command of Colonel Porfirio Diaz, later to be Mexico's president and dictator), the Mexicans awaited. Brightly dressed French Dragoons led the enemy columns. The Mexican Army was less stylish. General Zaragosa ordered Colonel Diaz to take his cavalry, the best in the world, out to the French flanks. In response, the French did a most stupid thing; they sent their cavalry off to chase Diaz and his men, who proceeded to butcher them. The remaining French infantrymen charged the Mexican defenders through sloppy mud from a thunderstorm and through hundreds of head of stampeding cattle stirred up by Indians armed only with machetes. When the battle was over, many French were killed or wounded and their cavalry was being chased by Diaz' superb horsemen miles away. The Mexicans had won a great victory that kept Napoleon III from supplying the confederate rebels for another year, allowing the United States to build the greatest army the world had ever seen. This grand army smashed the Confederates at Gettysburg just 14 months after the battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War. Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French. The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City. It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows? In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America. Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such 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 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!! ------------ Who's celebrating? I just had a big Mexican breakfast, I think I'll have Tequila for lunch!it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 May 5, 2004 A lot of the folks in TX know the story, we learned it in grade school, that doesn't stop a lot of the folks in TX calling it "Cinco de drinko" and using it as a good excuse to get shitfaced on Mexican beer.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #3 May 5, 2004 iQuisiera ir a una fiesta y beber margaritas!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #4 May 5, 2004 *signals to bartender* Una cervesa por favor... Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #5 May 5, 2004 You sure you're old enough to be drinking?? ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #6 May 5, 2004 Wow - thanks for the story - that's really cool; I never knew it. In Virginia we were only taught the war of the northern aggression (you yanks call it the civil war) , not much else. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brits17 0 #7 May 5, 2004 wooohooo! una fiesta a noche _______________________ aerialkinetics.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #8 May 5, 2004 Muchas Gracias Signor... I can't wait for Friday...I'm off to the FAMILY REUNION in Chester, SC. Tequila, Margaritas, Hotties, Pinatas, and oh yeah - I might skydive too, if I remember!! Since Sat will hold another special meaning for me too...I'm gonna get F**KED UP!!! Hasta Mi Amigos! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #9 May 5, 2004 QuoteI can't wait for Friday...I'm off to the FAMILY REUNION in Chester, SC. One of these years I'll actually get to that it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #10 May 5, 2004 QuoteMuchas Gracias Signor... I can't wait for Friday...I'm off to the FAMILY REUNION in Chester, SC. Tequila, Margaritas, Hotties, Pinatas, and oh yeah - I might skydive too, if I remember!! Since Sat will hold another special meaning for me too...I'm gonna get F**KED UP!!! Hasta Mi Amigos! In just a minute I am going to go clean out my jeep and start the gettting shit together process for this weekend also, yahoo. I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoShitThereIWas 0 #11 May 5, 2004 Arrrrriiiiiibbbaaaa Amigos! Babysitter: Check. Tequila: Check. Prince Tickets: Check. Good Mexican Food Restaurant: Check. I'm taking my roommate to the Prince concert tonight in St. Louis and we are going to drink LOTS of TeKillYa! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #12 May 5, 2004 QuoteThe Mexicans had won a great victory (against) Napoleon... Now for the rest of the story: The victory was short lived. Upon hearing of the defeat, Napoleon sent another 30,000 troops a year later to invade Mexico again. The French were eventually able to depose the Mexican army, take over Mexico City and install Maximilian as the ruler of Mexico. But Maximilian's rule of Mexico was also short lived, from 1864 to 1867, ending as the U.S. began to provide more political and military assistance to Mexico to expel the French. Attached: statue of Gen. Zaragoza, located at Presidio La Bahia, an old Spanish church and fort, located in south Texas. Zaragoza was born there, where his father served in the Mexican Army detachment. Presidio La Bahia is considered the world's finest example of a Spanish frontier fort. This is the most fought over fort in Texas history, having seen participation in six National Revolutions or Wars for independence. Spanish, Mexican and Texan soldiers all garrisoned its fortified walls. Six flags have flown over the compound; Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America and the United Sates of America. This is also the site of the Goliad Massacre, which took place here in 1836 during the fight for Texas independence, when Col. James Fannin and his 341 captured men were executed by Santa Anna. When Santa Anna was defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto, giving Texas its independence, the Texan battle cry was; "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" The Spanish system had hundreds of mission churches around Mexico and southwest America, to christianize the heathen Indians. The Spaniards would build a Presidio, or fort, nearby each mission, and man it with soldiers, to protect the church from marauding Indians. They weren't always successful in that endeavor. Second photo: the mission church at La Bahia. Sunday services have been held here since 1749! The chapel is also used for many marriage ceremonies. This chapel is where the Texas declaration of Independence was signed. What the heck, a third picture: the inside of the chapel, restored. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #13 May 5, 2004 Hope to see all the brothers in Chester! For those who heretofore had not planned on going... the party doesn't start for about 48 hours, which should allow enough drive-time from just about anywhere in North America... Elvisio "better than the deed, better than the memory: the moment of anticipation" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #14 May 5, 2006 bumping this up for the history lesson Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leapdog 0 #15 May 5, 2006 QuoteMuchas Gracias Signor... I can't wait for Friday...I'm off to the FAMILY REUNION in Chester, SC. Tequila, Margaritas, Hotties, Pinatas, and oh yeah - I might skydive too, if I remember!! Since Sat will hold another special meaning for me too...I'm gonna get F**KED UP!!! Hasta Mi Amigos! Isn't the dates for that in June? Gunnery Sergeant of Marines "I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leapdog 0 #16 May 5, 2006 Don't get in a hurry to head to chester yet. Unless you are just going for cinco. the family reunion is a bit later. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2133131;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread Gunnery Sergeant of Marines "I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #17 May 5, 2006 That would be last year. When pyke was still getting "F**KED UP!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #18 May 5, 2006 HAHA!! The Speakers Corner Post Whores got locked & moved back where they belong. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simplyputsi 0 #19 May 5, 2006 I want to be cool when I am at the mexican restaurant tonight. Can anyone tell me how to say Happy Cinco de Mayo in Spanish?Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #20 May 5, 2006 http://www.ebaumsworld.com/immigration.html A game to play today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #21 May 5, 2006 BOYCOT MEXICAN BEER TODAY!! FUCK THE ILLEGAL MOTHERFUKERS!! Go celebrate in Mexico biotches!! This is the USA and our Independence Day is JULY 4th!! Not May 5th! "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simplyputsi 0 #22 May 5, 2006 yeah those illegals are gay!!Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #23 May 5, 2006 Wildblue you're history is wrong.. here is the true story. Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #24 May 5, 2006 Quoteyeah those illegals are gay!! Are you in a relationship? Are they gay ONLY when they are illegal? If they got a green card would they still be gay or would they revert to hetero? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #25 May 5, 2006 That was good, Slappie! A bit of a groaner but... good! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
