May 05, 2011

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Free Orkut and My Space Cinco De Mayo Graphics Glitters  
  
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!!
~ Courtesy of  Viva Cinco de Mayo

  Here is a beautiful free print able to help you celebrate I found on

Make sure to check this blog for more awesome print ables!
   


Other websites you might find useful in celebrating are ;

 Kaboose for free colouring pages

Partysupplieshut for free printable fiesta games


 TheTomkat Studio is offering these bright and lovely free print ables
Brady from 9 to 5 Mom has these brillant free printables and a banner as well.


Although it is sunny and warmer...erish I am off to do some Thursday blog hopping because the twins have an ear infection and cold wind might not be a good thing.

Bassgiraffe's Thoughts Thursday Blog Hop
Obviously MARvelous

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17 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey! I found you through a hop and another blog hah! Saw you were preggers with twins and me and my husband might be too! We just finished our first cycle of IVF and find out next Friday if both the babies "stuck". I'm your newest follower hope you come by and follow me back:-)
www.thevanzantfamily.blogspot.com

ropcorn said...

I'm glad I stumbled upon this post. Because I have never quite understood what Cinco de Mayo is. Now, finally, it make some sense. So Thank you! :-)

Unknown said...

Wow. you have so much great info on your blog...and its gorgeous. Following you now from bassgiraffe hop. Thanks for all the great Cinco de Mayo goodies!

Lesli said...

You have the best printables! And now I want some tacos.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Lesli :D

Erin said...

Thanks for stopping by Minx Design - I'm following you back now! :)

Katherines Corner said...

Great post! Happy Cinco de Mayo. Thank you for visiting Katherine's Corner. hugs!

Joy Page Manuel said...

Yey!! I learned new things today! Thanks for this very informative post and for visiting me earlier on Catharsis! I hope you can pop by again to link up on my Thursday Threading Blog Hop! See you around :-))

http://www.joypagemanuel.com

Anonymous said...

Hi!
I'm passing through from the Thursday hop to say hello and to follow.
Have a great day!
POSH!
http://poshonabudget.com/2011/05/happy-thursday-11.html

Deborah Ann said...

Gracias for this timely info! I had no idea what Cinfo De Mayo was about, and I'm so glad to get the info! I love the Mexican people - they are the friendliest folks on the planet.

Off to check out the recipes. Thank you so much, Greenacre!

XOXO, Michelle said...

Ahhhhh someone else who likes to remember this holiday for what it is! If only the ignorant bigots who hate Mexican's could be reminded of just how much Mexico has done for us....


not just a pretty beach!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the follow, following back.

Unknown said...

Hey there, thanks 4 dropping by my blog.

Nice post, dropping some knowledge :)

Wishing u a fantastic weekend.

Steph said...

Hey!!! I am following you already through my other blog: www.thequachfamilyagain.blogspot.com
Thank you for visiting my new blog: www.pendantsbysteph.blogspot.com :)
Thank you for posting the story behind cinco de mayo -- the printables are awesome... and we are having tacos tonight! (last night we already had ribs on the menu!)

Kelly @Indiana Inker said...

Hello! Thanks for stopping by my Indiana Inker Blog. Would love for you to stop by my other blog as well: Coupons, Crafts and Causes. I've added your button to My Button Collection page.

Have a great day,


Kelly
Coupons, Crafts and Causes
Indiana Inker

Anonymous said...

I sure could have used this info a few days ago at my cinco de mayo party :) great ideas!

I'm a new follower and would love it if you could check out my new blog and follow me, too!

www.kindertravels.net

Katy said...

cool history lesson! DD1 was actually due on Cino de Mayo, but she was late. thanks for visiting the long and short of it! following you back!

Melanie said...

You have so much here! It would take me a week to see it all. Look forward to it. Have a great weekend.

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