Happy Cinco de Mayo!

May 5th is observed in commemoration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in1862 under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. Today is the 159th annual celebration. Vastly outnumbered (2000 to 6000) and poorly supplied, dedicated men fought from daybreak to early evening when Napolean III and his French forces retreated.

In the 60’s, US cities with large Hispanic populations brought awareness of the event to the United States when they started celebrating the Mexican victory. Oddly, Cinco de Mayo (translation: 5th of May) is celebrated more widely in the US than it is in Mexico.

However you spend the day- whether you are celebrating the achievements of your ancestors, a birthday, an anniversary, simply looking for a reason to have fun, or completely unfazed by the date, Happy Wednesday and peace to all!