HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/20/2010 03A2 Cinco de Mayo Cultural Awareness WeekLuz Bazan Gutierrez
Subject: THE AMERICAN CONNECTION TO CINCO DE MAYO
THE AMERICAN CONNECTION TO CINCO DE MAYO
On May 5"' 1862 in the city of Puebla the invading forces of Napoleon III, Maximilliano the Archduke of
Austria, his puppet Emperor, would encounter a force of Mexican troops led by Ignacio Zaragoza. We have all
heard the story of how General Zaragoza who was born in Goliad, Texas would successfully defeat the French
invaders at the Battle of Puebla, but that is only half of the story
While the United States was busy with the American Civil War, Napoleon decided that he would be as great a
conqueror as his famous uncle, Napoleon I and it would be a good time to retake Mexico and stop America's
expansion. We know now that Napoleon had plans to enter the United States and join the Confederates
However, what is little known is that General Zaragoza would recruit Captain Porfirio Zamora from Palito
Blanco in south Texas and in turn he would recruit 500 Tejano's Together as a cavalry unit they would join the
Mexican Army and fight to defend Mexico from the French invasion. These Tejano's, although still Mexicans at
heart, were American citizens After the invasion of Mexico in 1846, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo(1848)
would guarantee these former Mexican citizens full American citizenship These American citizen volunteers
came from as far as Corpus Christi to Brownsville and all along the Rio Grande Valley
According to Dr Andres Tijerina, author, historian and professor of Texas History, the Tejano Cavalry that
fought under the leadership of Captain Porfirio Zamora, would defeat the French infantry and this decisive
charge would end the Battle of Puebla.
After the French were driven out of Mexico the surviving Tejanos returned and started the celebrations in south
Texas Dr Tijerina says that if it had not been for the 500 Tejanos the war may have had a different outcome.
These Tejanos considered the Battle of Puebla as their victory and their contribution in saving Mexico from
French domination. After the war, Porfirio Zamora would be promoted to Major, and for his bravery and valor,
would be awarded Mexico's second highest military medal, " La Condecoracion de Segunda Clase " This
medal and citation were personally signed by President Benito Juarez.
So powerful in Mexican politics was Zamora that after Benito Juarez died, General Porfirio Diaz, candidate for
Mexican President rode all the way to Alice Texas to seek the endorsement of Major Porfirio Zamora. And now
you know the rest of the story
Ref El Mesquite, Glena Zamora D Shea Texas A & Al University originally published 1935 by Mathis Publishing Co. Dallas, "Texas
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The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
of Yakima County presents.
9th Annual Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta Grande in Downtown Yakima
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time
Entertainment
10:00 am
Opening Ceremony/ Vietnam
Veterans of America Color Guard
10:30 am
Ms Cinco de Mayo Royalty2010
11:00 am
Tlexiktli — Aztec Dancers
12:00 pm
Open Mic
12.30 pm
Cinco de Mayo Royalty Performance
1.30 pm
Bert's Pub Lady Warriors
2:00 pm
Nestor & Sus Amigos
3:00 pm
Talent Show
5:00 pm
Edgar & Sus Traviesos
6:00 pm
Explosion Michoacana
7:00 pm
Fin de Silencio
8:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Carnival & Beer Garden All Day
* Car Show - Sunday *
* Parade - Sunday *
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The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
of Yakima County presents. -,
9th Annual Cinco de Mayo
Fiesta Grande in Downtown Yaldma
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Time
Entertainment
10:00 am
Opening Ceremony/ Vietnam
Veterans of America Color Guard
10:30 am
I McKinley Dancers
11:00 am
2010 Ms Cinco de Mayo Royalty
11.30 am
Tlexiktli —Aztec Dancers
12.30 pm
Mariachi Sol de America
1.30 pm
Talent Show Finalists
2:00 pm
Coronation/ Banda la Palmera
3:00 pm
Los Faraones del Norte
4:00 pm
Banda Perla Azteca
5.00 pm
Grupo Amante
6:00 pm
Los Fieles de Sinaloa
7:00 pm
Homero Gomez
8:00 pm
Closing/ Andres Marquez, El Macizo
Carnival & Beer Garden All Day*
* Car Show 12 - 5 PM
* Parade i:ooPM (6th Ave to 4th St)
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FRUIT & PRODUCE CO