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Free Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas
Mexican Tea Party

These Cinco de Mayo Party ideas should help you plan your Cinco de Mayo tea party. Maybe like me you live in an area which has deep Hispanics roots. Around here, Cinco de Mayo is a big event.

Have you ever wondered what exactly is "El Cinco de Mayo" and what is celebrated? I have too and after doing some research, I will share with you some fun historical tidbits.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independance Day - which is celebrated September 16 and occured in 1810.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5 and it is a celebration to remember the victory of the Mexican Army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla which happened on...you guessed it...May 5th in 1862. This victory was a symbol of the Mexican nation's unity and of its patriotism.

So Cinco de Mayo has its roots in the French occupation of the Mexican nation. I am embarassed to say that even though I am French, I had no clue France occupied Mexico!

In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848, Mexico went through a period of national crisis. The war had left Mexico financially bankrupt. For this reason, on July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a statement in which he said that all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a period of two years in order to give his country a chance to recover. He also said that all payments would then resume as promised.

The French - as well as the British and Spaniards - refused to allow President Juarez to do this. Instead they decided to invade Mexico and force the government to pay by whatever means necessary. In time, the Spanish and the British army withdrew but the French refused to do so - stubborn bunch.

Emperor Napoleon III saw this situation as an opportunity to extend the French empire. He wanted to rival with the United States - which was prospering - and which he saw as a threat.

So in 1862, the French army began its advance. However, on May 5, 1862, a less than trained and prepared Mexican army - consisting mainly of Mestizo and Zapotec Indians - defeated the French army.

You may be surprised to find out - as I was - that el Cinco de Mayo is a bigger holiday here in the United States than in Mexico! Although that does not really matter, any occasion can be an occasion for a fun tea party and El Cinco de Mayo should be no exception.

If you have some tea party ideas of your own, please share them! Your input is always welcome. Your ideas, recipes, pictures are what make this site great and a great place to be.

Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas - comments and reviews.