The Cinco de Mayo festival commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s triumph over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Held every 5th of May, the event is mistaken for the Independence Day of Mexico which is on the 16th of September, memorializing the 1810 Cry of Dolores that triggered the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. Can the Cinco De Mayo theme be found on banknotes?
The Battle of Puebla
Cinco De Mayo initiated during the second intervention of France in Mexico, following the Mexican-American War and the Reform War. In 1861, the French fleet of 8,000 attacked the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, moving towards Mexico City. In the state of Puebla, the French troops come to face with a poorly-armed Mexican army of only 4,000 led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Although outnumbered by the well-armed French troops that had been undefeated for about 50 years, the Mexicans won the battle on May 5, 1862, boosting the esteem of Mexicans and building their sense of patriotism.
Why Do Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Occur in the US?
Cinco de Mayo has become widespread in the United States, starting off in California in 1863 and grew in popularity nationwide in the 1980s when advertisements by beer, tequila, and wine companies emerged. Eventually, the event turned into a celebration of Mexican-American culture and heritage. Today, industries in the US make the most of Cinco de Mayo, focusing their advertising campaigns on Mexican products and services. In 2013, the purchase of beer for Cinco de Mayo was more than for St. Patrick’s Day and even for the Super Bowl.
Cinco de Mayo on Mexican Peso Banknotes
The Cinco de Mayo celebrations do not only occur through the annual festival of Mexican beverages, music, and cuisine. Some Mexican peso banknotes also portray the significant feat. The reddish-brown and purple 500 nuevos pesos issued by the Bank of Mexico in 1992 illustrates soldiers and also horses in the battle of Puebla. On its obverse design along with a portrait of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. The reverse of the note features the Baroque-style Cathedral of Puebla. It is located on the southern part of the Zocalo de Puebla.
General Zaragoza also appeared on the obverse of the Banco de Mexico’s 50 pesos banknote released between 1937 and 1950.
