Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

We have over the Mexicans the superiority of race, of organization, of discipline of morality and morale, and to further show our excellence, I say to our Emperor from this time, at the head of six thousand soldiers, I am master of Mexico."

 
That ridiculous statement came from Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Count of Lorencez, prior to an 1862 mission to overtake Mexico City for the French.

 
Latrille was a veteran warrior. He had the power to back up his words.

 
With one of the strongest and most sophisticated armies in the world at the time, France was a mighty force, but in the end, ill-equipped rural Mexicans rose to the occasion and made Latrille eat his words.

 
The uprising to halt the French invasion of Mexico began with a battle at Puebla, the battle that has become known as Cinco de Mayo.


Cinco de Mayo is a day that represents the strength of the human spirit, dedication to freedom, love of country and perseverance under the most extreme conditions.

 
In May 1862, Mexican forces were grossly outnumbered by the French invaders. Armed only with desire and crude weaponry, the Mexicans beat back the French in a battle that has become known as one of the biggest upsets in history.

 
While Cinco de Mayo commemorates May 5, 1862, there actually were two battles at Puebla: the second lasted from March 17 to May 17 in 1863, according to historians M.J. Philippus and John F. Garcia Sr., in a report conducted in cooperation with the Auraria Community Center in Denver.

 
After nearly a decade of corruption by its leadership, the Mexican government in 1857 abruptly refused to pay part of a national debt to Spain, prompting conflicts with that country as well as France and England, which also had investments in Mexico. Amid this turmoil, the presidency passed to Benito Juarez, the chief justice of the Mexican Supreme Court and a supporter of the indigenous people of Mexico.

 
The armies of Napoleon III occupied Vera Cruz and made it clear that the French were establishing themselves in the New World by naming Maximilian emperor of Mexico.

 
Once the French forces secured Vera Cruz, they began marching toward Mexico City with Latrille - an expert in warfare with 31 years in the army - in the lead.

 
The main objective was to take Mexico City, but to do this the French army would have to pass through the town of Puebla. The Mexican troops were neither well trained, nor well armed, but they organized quickly under the leadership of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza.

 
Zaragoza, 31, made up for his lack of experience in war with intelligence, charisma and vigor. The French had superior firepower, but the Mexican cavalry was made up of skilled horsemen. The Europeans, who had underestimated their opponents, became very concerned as the Mexicans attacked relentlessly.

 
On the morning of May 5, French forces divided into three armies to attack at various points, but by 4 p.m., the French soldiers were defeated on all three fronts.

 
When news of the defeat reached Napoleon III, he was furious. Latrille retired in disgrace. Maximilian was later ordered executed by Juarez. The defense of Puebla left Zaragoza exhausted. He became ill and died on Sept. 8, 1862.

 
The battle at Puebla on Cinco de Mayo possesses all the elements of a great story. It's one U.S. schoolchildren should know. It's one we all should know.

 
The holiday presents an opportunity to teach history and instill pride in our youth, helping them forge a can-do attitude.

 
We should see the history of Cinco de Mayo as a remarkable event that proves anything is possible and that greatness comes from goodness within; not from greed and gadgetry.