(LoC) Mexican troops under General Ignacio Zaragoza successfully defended the town of Puebla on May 5, 1862, temporarily halting France's efforts to establish a puppet regime in Mexico. With the U.S. absorbed by the Civil War, Emperor Napoleon III hoped to create a French sphere of influence in Latin America. The victory is commemorated as a national holiday in Mexico.
The
Mexican victory at Puebla was short-lived. French reinforcements seized the town
in March 1863. The following June, Maximilian, younger brother of Emperor Franz
Josef of Austria and a member of the Hapsburg dynasty, was crowned emperor of
Mexico. He remained in power until 1867, when Napoleon III abandoned his Mexican
adventure and withdrew his troops.
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has
become an occasion to celebrate Hispanic culture. Fairs commemorating the day
feature singing, dancing, food, and other amusements, and provide a means of
sharing a rich and diverse culture. More
No comments:
Post a Comment