In 1862, Mexico was a new country made up of many different cultures. Its national identity was still being formed, and it struggled with inequality, foreign occupation, and civil war. Then came the 5th of May. The surprising victory at Puebla, though it didn't last, helped bring Mexico together as a country. It gave Mexicans something to be proud of, while showing the world that Mexico could not be defeated without a fight.
At the time of the first Cinco de Mayo, many Americans were able to compare their nation's history to the events that had occurred in Mexico. The Mexican opposition to French control reminded Americans of their own fight for independence from Britain during the Revolutionary War. And, of course, the United States was in the middle of its own civil war. The united front presented by Indian and Mexican fighters during the battle of Puebla must have made some Americans long for the time when they were a united people, fighting together instead of against each other.
Question
What is the connection between the historical roots of Cinco de Mayo and its purpose in today's society?
