Cinco de Mayo, the Battle of Puebla, is very symbolic for Chicanos. On this day, Puebla natives fought off the French Army in 1862. It is a David and Goliath-like story that has inspired many. Sharing stories of resilience is encouraging for a people who fight oppression on a daily basis. Although it is rarely celebrated in Mexico outside of Puebla, many Chicanos/Mexicanos in the United States use this time to celebrate our Mexican heritage, our ability to conquer odds, and the strength of our community.
 
In a Baltimore Sun article, it is said that the celebration in the United States is a little over 40 years ago (30 years when the article was written). Students at California State University at Los Angeles were the first to hold a Cinco De Mayo celebration. The following is a little history about why Cinco de Mayo was celebrated by CSULA students:

”Back in the ’60s, Cinco de Mayo was much more political and cultural,” says Carlos Munoz Jr., a professor of ethnic studies at the University of California at Berkeley. ”Our concern was to revitalize our struggle in this country for Chicano civil and human rights.”

”We said, ‘We don’t have any Chicano holidays to speak of, and we need to do something to recapture not only our history, but also our identity,’ ” Mr. Munoz recalls.

Since September 16, Mexican Independence Day, fell during the students’ vacation, they decided that the smaller but more symbolic Battle of Puebla would do. ”We connected it to our struggle here,” Mr. Munoz says.

Hope you learned something new about Cinco de Mayo in the US. Be proud of the rich history of Mexicanos and Chicanos alike. FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!

Images of Dolores Huerta, Gloria Anzaldua, Brown Beret Member, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales.