Por: David Conde
Recently, I visited Mexico and traveled into Mexico City from the south. To get to my destination downtown we drove on 20 de Noviembre Street. Driving on that street brought back memories of a variety of history book passages that cite Francisco I. Madero’s manifesto published on October 5, 1910 in San Antonio, 7 regarding non recognition of President Porfirio Diaz’ reelection and calling for the Mexican people to rise in rebellion on the 20th of November. That is the official day that celebrates the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
Later I took a walk down another street, Cinco de Mayo, that now forms an important part of the shopping venue in the city’s historic district. Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) celebrates an 1862 battle and victory of a small Mestizo and Zapotec force over the French Army that was intent on creating an empire on Latin American soil.
That battle represented a bright light of hope in the middle of an overwhelming invasion that later installed Maximilian of Hapsburg as Emperor of Mexico. The spirit of Cinco de Mayo however, did help President Benito Juarez organize a defense that successfully retook the country 5 years later and depose the usurper.
Cinco de Mayo mostly came to the United States in the form of General Ignacio Zaragoza, the hero of the May 5th Puebla battle where he defeated a French army 11 times the size of his. It helped that he was born in Presidio-La Bahia in what is today Goliad, Texas near Corpus Christi.
Subsequently, Zaragoza Halls began to spring up in the American Southwest and where Mexican immigrants came to live. One such hall is located in Pueblo, Colorado.
Attendance at a Cinco de Mayo ceremony in the hall during the era of the Chicano Movement inspired the notion that Cinco de Mayo had a lot in common with the Movement’s struggle for freedom and justice. That led to adoption of the date by activists in the area.
One hundred and ten years after the battle in Puebla, Mexico, the Chicano commemoration of Cinco de Mayo was born and celebrated by 25,000 people in Zapata Park in Pueblo, Colorado. One hundred and eight organizations in Southern Colorado had come together to create activities that included a pancake breakfast in Downtown Pueblo, a parade and several cultural events that culminated with the large gathering at the park.
The organizers of the first celebration also brought people to the 4-H Pavilion in the Colorado State Fairgrounds for a dance featuring Al Hurricane, the godfather of New Mexico music, that played to an audience of 2,500. It was an unforgettable experience to see Al Hurricane Sanchez and his brothers Tiny Morrie and Baby Gaby perform the Nuevo Mexicano music we all love.
Once Cinco de Mayo became a Chicano event, it developed into a staple of Spring celebrations in cities across in the Southwest and the country. Also, in the first years of the event, businesses took notice and offered Cinco de Mayo sales as part of the week.
In the decades that followed, Cinco de Mayo festivals have become part of the national calendar. Beer and media companies also have converted into major sponsors and advertisers of the events.
Although the Chicano version of Cinco de Mayo has lost much of its political meaning, it nevertheless provided another step in the recognition of the Latino community as a major influence in the affairs of the country.
Please stay safe at the NEWSED’S Cinco de Mayo Festival at Denver’s Civic Center Park this coming weekend.
