“¡Viva México!” Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla, and there are festivals in lots of communities in North America, including our very own community here in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th each year. It is celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans across North America. It is celebrated because of Mexico’s battle against France in the Battle of Puebla, ensuring Mexico’s freedom from the French.
5 de Mayo is important because of the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. It is a symbol of the Mexicans’ resistance and a source of national pride. As a day to celebrate and a day of horror for Mexican Americans, while not a national holiday in Mexico, it’s widely celebrated. In Puebla, the battle took place and the victory over the French Empire. The conflict leading to the Battle of Puebla stemmed from Mexico’s default on foreign debts, primarily to France, after a period of instability and civil war served as camp followers performing essential roles like cooking, laundry, and nursing for the soldiers. Some also acted as scouts or spies, gathering information about the enemy.
Many Hispanics have celebrated Cinco de Mayo for nearly 168 years. Cinco de Mayo was established in the year 1862 after Mexico defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla for their freedom from the Europeans. In the 1860s, Europeans, including the French, had Mexico paying them taxes because they were under European control. Mexico was expecting to make an empire, but with the conflicts they had, they did not think they were in a good position to defeat the French. But they finally decided they had had enough of paying taxes to the French, so they decided to stop paying them. This came with the French demanding they keep paying or face war. So Mexico never kept on paying, and when the French came to Mexico to have a war, Mexico defeated them. This battle shows Mexico’s power and resistance, and is now the reason why they are free from the French and why Mexicans celebrate May 5th.
On May 5th in Bowling Green, Kentucky, there is a festival on the corner of Clay Street and West 12th Avenue, which is where the church Iglesia del Dios Vivo Cumna y Apoyo de la Verdad la Luz del Mundo, or in English, the Light of the World, is located. The brothers and sisters in the light of the world are the ones who make these festivals; at these festivals, there are games such as bull, where you ride at your own risk. Foods such as tacos and brisket are made in Texas style, and dances such as Jalisco and music are also available. The light of the world celebrates this day to celebrate Mexican heritage, a day where Mexicans eat, play games, and dance. And many people see the work and effort the light of the world puts into this festival, as Uriel Munoz Giron says, ” I see food stands, friends and family, and bull rides.” La Luz del Mundo is a church that started in 1926 during the Cristero War, which was a civil war that took place in Mexico between 1926 and 1929. Ever since the beginning, La Luz del Mundo has been flourishing and growing. Right now, there are between 1 and 5 million people in the Light of the World, and this church is in over 50 countries.
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday due to the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. It is also a symbol of the Mexicans’ resistance and a source of national pride. There are many celebrations for this holiday in Mexico and in the U.S. On May 5th in Bowling Green, Kentucky, there is a festival on the corner of Clay Street and West 12th Avenue.
