CINCO DE MAYO
There are many misconceptions about the holiday, however; many people in the United States think Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Day of Independence. But, Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.
About The Battle of Puebla
In the mid-1800s, after the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Reform War, the government of Mexico ran out of funds. They owed a lot of money to powerful countries like England, Spain, and France, but they had no way of paying it back. The Mexican president at the time, Benito Juarez, promised his country would eventually pay the other countries, but he decided to stop payments for a period of two years. England, Spain, and France didn’t like this plan, and they all sent troops to Mexico so they could collect their money. After a while, Spain and England changed their minds and left, but France stayed. The French didn’t just want their money back; they wanted to conquer Mexico! On May 5, 1862, French troops led by Gen. Charles Ferdinand Latrille de Lorencez attacked the Mexican city of Puebla. Mexican troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza were waiting for them. Even though France was considered one of the greatest military powers in the world at the time and Zaragoza’s troops were made up of mainly inexperienced farmers, Mexico defeated France in the Battle of Puebla. From that day forward, Mexico has celebrated their military victory over the French every year on May 5, Cinco de Mayo.
Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862. Photograph Source: Public Domain
Celebrations in Mexico
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a day about national pride. Traditionally, it was celebrated with parades to commemorate the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. Over time, however, the government of Mexico went through a lot of major changes, and many people in Mexico no longer felt the same way about the holiday. To them, the importance of the day in Mexico’s history had faded. Of course, some people in Mexico still observe Cinco de Mayo. There are parades in Mexico City and across the country, but the city of Puebla itself is home to the biggest celebrations.
Celebrations in the U.S.
Celebrations of Cinco de Mayo in the United States began in areas where lots of Mexican Americans lived. People in small New Mexico towns, for instance, celebrated their heritage and honored the important holiday by gathering outside to travel down the street in spirited parades. Cinco de Mayo became even more popular during the Chicano movement of the 1960s, when Mexican Americans fought for their civil rights. They saw the holiday as an opportunity to show pride in their culture. Today, large celebrations take place in major cities all over the United States, and people of all ethnicities take part in the festivities.
celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Paraíso
At Paraiso, we offer a creative cuisine inspired by the street food and home kitchens of Mexico. This year's Cinco de Mayo celebrations will include a live Mariachi band, margarita bar, authentic Mexican dishes, and of course no celebration without mezcal and tequila.
SPECIALS ALL DAY
1 shot of Jose Cuervo Tequila $8
1 shot of Sombra Mezcal $8
Classic Margarita $9
Margarita Flight: passion fruit, jamaica, clasica, diablo $18 (throughout the week special and for lunch time only) (NOT AVAILABLE ON MAY 5th)
PRE FIXE MENU
STARTER
Choice of:
Chips Trio
Guacamole
MAIN
Choice of:
Taco Trio (chicken, steak, and fish)
Carnitas Quesadilla
Coliflor Quesadilla
Carne Asada Burrito
DESSERT
Choice of:
Flan
Tres Leches
$40 / Person
Te esperamos!