Why do we celebrate the 5th of May?
Some people think we celebrate 5th May as the Mexican Independence Day. The fact is Mexican Independence Day is 16 September and was a declaration of the war against Spanish colonial government in 1810. May 5th is a celebration of Benito Juarez declaring his country too poor to pay their debts to other countries. France did not like this declaration and decided to invade Mexico. When they reached the town of Puebla, they outnumbered the Mexicans two to one. A battle beginning at dawn on May 5, 1862, ended at dusk leaving 500 French soldiers dead and 100 Mexican soldiers dead and the French retreating. While this battle did not stop the French from marching onto Mexico City it was a victory in Puebla against insurmountable odds. This was an inspiration for soldiers of Spanish decent serving the Union Army in the throes of the Civil War. From that time in the Civil War, the Union began to celebrate 5th of May with parades, parties, and bullfights. In 1867, after the Civil War was over, Mexico with the support of the United States, cause the French to withdraw and restored Benito Juarez to power.
To this day Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in America than in Mexico except in the state of Puebla. It is now used to celebrate the Mexican culture and heritage more than the battle of the French and Mexican war.
It will be nice when the day comes when no more war is necessary. I live in the eternal hope that mankind will somehow learn to get together and live in peace. But it seems like there is this internal struggle, (because of Satan), within all cultures to dominate and control. Are we doomed with no hope at all for peace?
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
I think the reality is there will always be wars, conflicts, and disagreements. But as long as there are God-fearing people we have nothing else to fear. Every day of our lives can be a celebration because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. So May 5th, June 5th, July 5th, and every fifth after that is a reason to celebrate and praise God.
As parents we need to teach our children to understand what they are celebrating and why. For some, any special day is an occasion for partying, and not always in the right way. Help them understand why there is cause for celebration and what the cost of the freedom to celebrate was for those people at that time. We can all do better in trying to understand cause and effect in every situation.
We as authors can clear up misconceptions, like the celebration of the 5th of May as Mexican Independence Day, by stating the facts and informing people what is real. We should never let the celebration become more important than why we are celebrating any date.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:8
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24: 6-7
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee…
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9