Tuesday; May 5
Today is Cinco de Mayo – but do we really know what that means? Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (that is September 16), it is a day celebrated in parts of Mexico in remembrance of the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While the day has taken on a life of its own in the United States, the story behind the Mexican victory over the French army is kind of inspiring. Without getting into too much of the history of the battle, suffice it to say it was a time when an army of about 8,000 troops attacked a smaller and less prepared Mexican army half that size, but the Mexicans prevailed and defended their community. The local victory was a boon to morale and went on to inspire a sense of nationalism and pride. With many of the limitations in place this year, Cinco de Mayo will probably not be as widely celebrated in the United States as in other years, but I would like to take the day to remind us of what can happen with commitment and determination – especially among Christians.