Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day as a lot of people seem to believe. However, it is still a day of celebration of independence, Mexican heritage and democracy.
On May 5, 1862, Napoleon III and 14,000 troops attempted to take over Aztec grounds but the Mexican army victoriously defeated the French with only 4,000 men securing their land and their freedom. This day in history is known as “La Batalla de Puebla” (The Battle of Puebla).
In America, the holiday is celebrated across the country because it is believed to be Mexico’s Independence Day, but if you dig in a little deeper into your history books, you will find out that this battle kept the French from supplying the Confederate Army with more weapons and ammunition, which signified a win-win for both U.S. and Mexico.
Cinco De Mayo is a meaningful day for both Mexicans and Americans but it is only greatly celebrated in the U.S. Scroll down to find some quotes that can illustrate Mexican and American Patriotism on this significant day.
“Cinco de Mayo has come to represent a celebration of the contributions that Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to America.” – Joe Baca
“Latinos have fought in all of America's wars, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Many Latinos are fighting and dying for our country today in Iraq, just as several of their ancestors fought for freedom in Mexico over a century ago.” – Joe Baca
“There is something magnificent in having a country to love.” – James Russell Lowell
“If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.” – Aristotle
“Freedom is when the people can speak, democracy is when the government listens.” – Alastair Farrugia
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing.” – Walter H. Judd
“The history of every country begins in the heart of a man, or woman.” – Willa Cather
“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.” – Clarence Darrow
“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” – Abraham Lincoln
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