Cinco de Mayo

It's the day that
the people of Mexico
and people of Mexican descent
hold celebrations in much
the same way as the people
of the U.S. celebrate
the Fourth of July.

However, the Fifth of May
celebrations are in remembrance
of a significant battle in Mexico's
history and not of its
declaration of independence
from Spain, which had taken place
September 15, 1810.

May 5 is the anniversary
of the victory won by
Mexican soldiers, commanded by
General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin,
over the French occupational forces
in the Battle of Puebla
on May 5, 1862.

The city of Seguin, Texas,
is named in honor of this general,
who can also be referred to
as General Zaragoza.

For one good account of that
battle, see this website page:

http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm