Cinco de Mayo, Slavery and Mexico's Influence in America
The Mexican milestone has strong roots in the U.S.
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Origins - A look at Cinco de Mayo's link to the fight against slavery in the U.S. as well as a snapshot of how Mexico influences our nation today. — Britt Middleton Cinco de Mayo commemorates the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, where a Mexican militia of 4,500 men faced 6,000 well-trained French soldiers. After four hours of bloodshed, the Mexican army, led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, claimed victory. (Photo: Susana Gonzalez/Newsmakers)
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The Aftermath - However, that victory would be short lived. The French eventually regained power and installed Habsburg Archduke Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico. Just five years later, Maximilian was captured and executed by Mexican forces in 1867. Today, Cinco de Mayo is a popular celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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Ties to America - Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the celebration of Mexico's independence (Sept. 16) and it is more widely celebrated in America than in its home country. Its prominence in the states is best linked to the wave of Mexican, South and Central American immigrants to California during a period known as the Gold Rush (1848–1855). (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Fighting Against Slavery - During the Civil War, and inspired by victory in the Battle of Puebla, many Mexican immigrants rallied for racial equality and democracy, given their home country's painful past of imperialism. Historians say many Spanish-language newspapers of the time rebuked slavery. (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Connection to the Confederacy - French ruler Napoleon III, who was in power in Mexico during the Battle of Puebla, also had mutual financial and territorial interests that favored the Confederacy, further fueling their support for the Union forces. (Photo: Rischgitz/Getty Images)
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Modern-Day Controversy - While some revel in the spirit of celebration, critics have argued that Cinco de Mayo's once rich foundation has been watered down to unrecognizable standards. “To others this holiday is viewed as a joke because they feel it’s their culture that is being appropriated and exploited," Jody Agius Vallejo, a sociology professor at the University of Southern California, told the Atlanta Black Star. (Photo: Susana Gonzalez/Newsmakers)
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On the Home Front - Today, the U.S. Census Bureau reports 33.6 million people of Mexican origin live in America. (Source: 2011 American Community Survey). (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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A Place out West - The southwestern and western regions of the U.S. are home to some of the country's most thriving Mexican-American communities. In 2011, 12 million people of Mexican heritage lived in California and 8.6 million in Texas. (Source: 2011 American Community Survey)(Photo: Dave Einsel/Getty Images)
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Forging a Path - About 67 percent of people of Mexican heritage aged 16 and older made up the U.S. labor force in 2011. About 16 percent worked in management, business, science and arts occupations. (Source: 2011 American Community Survey)(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)
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Trade - In 2012, $494.0 billion in goods was traded between the U.S. and Mexico. The third largest trading partner of the U.S., Mexico's top exports were machinery ($36.0 billion), electrical machinery ($34.0 billion) and mineral fuel and oil ($23.8 billion) in 2012, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. (Photo: Susana Gonzalez/Bloomberg via Getty Images)