s. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy Today is the fifth of May: Cinco de Mayo. What, if anything, does that mean to us? We just two days ago celebrated Yom Ha’atzma’ut, the 58th Anniversary of Israel’s Independence, and I was wondering what, if anything, these two holidays, coming, as they do, so close on the calendar, might have in common. Huh?

First of all, do we even know what Cinco de Mayo is all about? Well, in the U.S.A., it has become yet another excuse for a party (as they say in Hebrew, siba le’mesiba). The makers of Corona Beer and all things guacamole-related see this as an annual bonanza. Amazingly, it is more widely celebrated here than in Mexico, where the official celebration is generally limited to the town of Pueblo (more about that later). Undoubtedly, Hallmark now has cards for it, and it will eventually become (if it has not already), a reason for a sale at the large department stores: Bloomingdales ‘Cinco de Mayo White Sale Event.’

But what is this holiday, really? I imagine that those who don’t know but give it some thought, expect that it is Mexico’s Independence Day. It is not. In some respects, though, it might well be seen as such.

Now, for a bit of history. In fact, Mexico had long been independent when the 5th of May, 1862 rolled around. At that time, Mexico, having lost about ? of its territory to the U.S., including Texas and California, was nearly bankrupt and deeply in debt to several of the European Powers. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy a

Mayo is all about? Well, in the U.S.A., it has become yet another excuse for a party (as they say in Hebrew, siba le’mesiba). The makers of Corona Beer and all things guacamole-related see this as an annual bonanza. Amazingly, it is more widely celebrated here than in Mexico, where the official celebration is generally limited to the town of Pueblo (more about that later). Undoubtedly, Hallmark now has cards for it, and it will eventually become (if it has not already), a reason for a sale at the large department stores: Bloomingdales ‘Cinco de Mayo White Sale Event.’

But what is this holiday, really? I imagine that those who don’t know but give it some thought, expect that it is Mexico’s Independence Day. It is not. In some respects, though, it might well be seen as such.

Now, for a bit of history. In fact, Mexico had long been independent when the 5th of May, 1862 rolled around. At that time, Mexico, having lost about ? of its territory to the U.S., including Texas and California, was nearly bankrupt and deeply in debt to several of the European Powers. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy

ut that later). Undoubtedly, Hallmark now has cards for it, and it will eventually become (if it has not already), a reason for a sale at the large department stores: Bloomingdales ‘Cinco de Mayo White Sale Event.’

But what is this holiday, really? I imagine that those who don’t know but give it some thought, expect that it is Mexico’s Independence Day. It is not. In some respects, though, it might well be seen as such.

Now, for a bit of history. In fact, Mexico had long been independent when the 5th of May, 1862 rolled around. At that time, Mexico, having lost about ? of its territory to the U.S., including Texas and California, was nearly bankrupt and deeply in debt to several of the European Powers. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy

. It is not. In some respects, though, it might well be seen as such.

Now, for a bit of history. In fact, Mexico had long been independent when the 5th of May, 1862 rolled around. At that time, Mexico, having lost about ? of its territory to the U.S., including Texas and California, was nearly bankrupt and deeply in debt to several of the European Powers. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy

s. In desperation, its president, Benito Juarez, suspended debt payments, hoping the country could get back on its feet. The European Powers, specifically Britain, France and Spain sent “representatives,” backed up by troops, to collect. Meanwhile, Juarez, a “liberal,” was busy fending off opposition in Mexico to the “conservative” forces of the aristocracy and the Catholic Church. The European armies arrived in Mexico at Vera Cruz. The Mexicans managed to settle their differences with Spain and England, and their troops made for home. The French, however, under Napoleon III were determined to foreclose on what they perceived to be collateral for their loan: Mexico. They believed (erroneously, as it turned out), that the California gold vein extended into Mexico, and that riches were to be had. Besides, reasoned the French, a restored colonial presence in the Americas was very desirable.

The French lost about half their troops to yellow fever at Vera Cruz, and those who continued had to pass through what was then the sleepy town of Pueblo, on their way to the Capital. Battle was joined in Pueblo on the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), 1862, and in a stunning upset, the French military was routed by the native population. France had not, at that time, lost a battle since Waterloo. In a different environment, the U.S. would likely have been involved, as French intentions in the Americas ran directly afoul of the Monroe Doctrine. But in 1862, Abe Lincoln’s attentions were somewhat diverted, and Benito Juarez could expect no support from his neighbors to the north.

After the Battle of Pueblo, the French withdrew but regrouped, and within about a year, had prevailed in Mexico. They installed the Emperor Maximillian, an Austrian Hapsburg “also-ran” on the throne. The Empe