I am sure that most of you are already aware of this, but today is the Mexican Independence Day. Now Mexican Independence Day should not be confused with cinco-de-mayo. They are two very different dates.
Mexican Independence: On September 15, 1810, in an attempt to end Spain's sovereignty, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared war on Spain; arguably this was Mexico's fourth attempt to gain independence with the first unsuccessful attempt dating as far back as 1521. On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo y Costilla attacked the Spaniard mining town of Guanajuato where the Mexicans obtained their first victory over the Spaniards. Unfortunately, less than a year later Hidalgo y Costilla was captured by the Spanish and executed. However, Agustin de Itrubide would continue to fight the war against the Spanish until August 24, 1821 when he and the Spanish Crown signed el Tratado de Cordoba officially recognizing Mexico's Independence.
cinco-de-mayo: In 1861, in an attempt to collect debts owed, France decided to invade Mexico. The French attacked Veracruz where it gained its first victory. It then moved in to the State of Puebla where on the Fifth day of May, 1862, one of the largest French armies equipped with firearms faced the Zacapoaxtla indigenas in the State Capitol, also named Puebla. They were lead by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin and had only rocks and machetes to defend themselves. After much bloodshed, the Poblanos defeated the vastly larger French army. However, to the Poblano’s misfortune France was eventually able to overtake the Mexican capitol in Mexico City. The Poblanas then had to horrifyingly watch as Maximillan I was declared Emperor of Mexico. Although, Mexico ultimately fell under French rule, the defeat of the French army by the indigenous people of Puebla was a very defining moment in Mexican history. For over 150 years it has been celebrated as a source of Mexican pride.
Now it is important for everyone to understand these distinctions for one very crucial reason because Ericka was born and raised in Puebla, Puebla, in the very city where the great battle of cinco de mayo was fought. She spent the first fifteen years of her life walking up and down the very streets where not only the Zacapoaxtla indigenas, but also her ancestors, spilt their blood to defend their Patria. Along with a heritage as remarkable and magnificent as the one Ericka has, there also comes a sense of pride. This pride creates a sensitivity to people mistakenly referring to cinco-de-mayo as the Mexican Independence Day or to people ignorantly mocking cinco-de-mayo as some kooky holiday that them Mexicans celebrate. So to all of you reading this Feliz dia de independencia.
Mexican Independence: On September 15, 1810, in an attempt to end Spain's sovereignty, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared war on Spain; arguably this was Mexico's fourth attempt to gain independence with the first unsuccessful attempt dating as far back as 1521. On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo y Costilla attacked the Spaniard mining town of Guanajuato where the Mexicans obtained their first victory over the Spaniards. Unfortunately, less than a year later Hidalgo y Costilla was captured by the Spanish and executed. However, Agustin de Itrubide would continue to fight the war against the Spanish until August 24, 1821 when he and the Spanish Crown signed el Tratado de Cordoba officially recognizing Mexico's Independence.
cinco-de-mayo: In 1861, in an attempt to collect debts owed, France decided to invade Mexico. The French attacked Veracruz where it gained its first victory. It then moved in to the State of Puebla where on the Fifth day of May, 1862, one of the largest French armies equipped with firearms faced the Zacapoaxtla indigenas in the State Capitol, also named Puebla. They were lead by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin and had only rocks and machetes to defend themselves. After much bloodshed, the Poblanos defeated the vastly larger French army. However, to the Poblano’s misfortune France was eventually able to overtake the Mexican capitol in Mexico City. The Poblanas then had to horrifyingly watch as Maximillan I was declared Emperor of Mexico. Although, Mexico ultimately fell under French rule, the defeat of the French army by the indigenous people of Puebla was a very defining moment in Mexican history. For over 150 years it has been celebrated as a source of Mexican pride.
Now it is important for everyone to understand these distinctions for one very crucial reason because Ericka was born and raised in Puebla, Puebla, in the very city where the great battle of cinco de mayo was fought. She spent the first fifteen years of her life walking up and down the very streets where not only the Zacapoaxtla indigenas, but also her ancestors, spilt their blood to defend their Patria. Along with a heritage as remarkable and magnificent as the one Ericka has, there also comes a sense of pride. This pride creates a sensitivity to people mistakenly referring to cinco-de-mayo as the Mexican Independence Day or to people ignorantly mocking cinco-de-mayo as some kooky holiday that them Mexicans celebrate. So to all of you reading this Feliz dia de independencia.
1 comment:
Viva la Mexico!!!!!!!!!
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