tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20993778.post2428997815602133731..comments2008-05-08T10:25:19.112-04:00Elementaryhistoryteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964668210604436937historyiselementary@mail.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20993778.post-12206152260891694952008-05-08T10:25:00.000-04:002008-05-08T10:25:00.000-04:00I'm glad I'm not the only one trying to get the word out. I wondered why the 5th of May was such a big deal and researched it. Then I tried to tell as many people as possible that it wasn't an official Mexican holiday, but basically a commercial holiday hyped to sell more beer.Amy The Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577075781286174253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20993778.post-57299309778062032102008-05-05T19:34:00.000-04:002008-05-05T19:34:00.000-04:00Wow, thanks for the extra details. I didn't have time for that this afternoon. For those not in the know Mexico does have a very sad political history. It's well worth a bit of research.EHThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964668210604436937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20993778.post-22646348973425126802008-05-05T19:28:00.000-04:002008-05-05T19:28:00.000-04:00Cinco de Mayo is not a big deal in Mexico. It seems to be a growing event in the US., as commercial interest seek money from our growing Hispanic (many of whom are Mexican) population.<BR/><BR/> From a historical point of view, it is one of the few battles "won" by the Mexican Army. Of course, the French forces that were sent to Mexico were not in very good physical condition. By time they'd reached Puebla, they'd marched up the mountains from Vera Cruz and many were suffering from dysentery. <BR/><BR/>On the Mexican side, it made a hero out of a cavalry general named Diaz, who later became one of the most corrupt, ruthless dictators, oops, I mean Presidents in Mexico's sad political history. Among other things, Diaz introduced to Mexico "Los Rurales", his own version of Russian Czar Ivan "the Terrible's" Oprichniki, a home-made terrorist force designed to punish, harass and intimidate the peasants of their country. IIRC, among other horrors, the Rurales raped a young girl and her brother, Francisco, sought revenge. He got a gun and shot some of them, then took to the "outlaw" trail. Later, he made a name for himself, Francisco Dorantes (?), better known as "Pancho Villa". But I digress from Cinco De Mayo. Viva la Fiesta ! Y, no borracho !Polski3http://www.blogger.com/profile/13397636504405471939noreply@blogger.com