Every year, for 5 May, America dey celebrate with Mexican food, music, and culture. But for Mexico, e no be national holiday. The day be for remember the victory wey Mexican army get against French forces for the Battle of Puebla for 1862.
General Ignacio Zaragoza, wey be 33-year-old Tejano from Goliad, lead the Mexican army wey get less numbers. Dem defeat the powerful French invaders for Puebla, wey dem also call Puebla de los Ángeles or City of Angels. That victory show say Mexico fit defend her sovereignty against strong foreign nation.
First time America celebrate 5 May na for 1863, when Mexicans wey dey California remember the date. For that time, Americans fear the French because dem support the Confederacy for Civil War. So, dem remember the victory.
Many people confuse 5 May with Mexico Independence Day. But the real independence day na 16 September, when Mexico celebrate independence from Spain.
For 20th century, especially for 1970s and 1980s, American beer companies push the celebration to sell drinks to Hispanic customers. Now, 5 May celebration dey bigger for US than for Mexico. For Mexico, dem dey focus more on 16 September.
If you want celebrate 5 May well, forget tacos and nachos. The traditional food for Puebla for that day na mole poblano. According to Smithsonian, mole na thick sauce wey dem make with chocolate, chiles, nuts, and spices. Dem pour am over chicken or turkey. Mole represent the heart of Mexican culture, dem serve am for special occasions like weddings and baby showers.
But for Mexico today, the battle no finish. The country dey fight another war—against insecurity, corruption, and poverty. Many people dey ask: who be the real enemy now? Some say na the leaders wey no care about common people. The battle for peace and justice still dey rage, and the common man dey suffer.
For Puebla, the date dey special. The people dey remember the bravery of ordinary soldiers and farmers wey climb the hills of Loreto and Guadalupe to defend their land. Dem no get better weapons, but dem get courage. That spirit still dey for Puebla today.
This year, President Claudia Sheinbaum go attend the 164th anniversary parade for Puebla. Her visit show say Puebla important for the country. She go talk about solar panels, semiconductors, and electric cars wey dem dey produce for the state. So, the celebration no be only about past, but about future.
But for many Mexicans, the battle wey dem dey fight now no be against foreign enemy. E be against the enemy inside—the corruption, the violence, the indifference of leaders. Some people say the government dey protect the real enemies. The people dey suffer, and dem no get weapons to fight.
As we remember the victory of 1862, we must also think about the battles wey still dey. The battle for justice, for security, for better life. The people get power—their voice, their vote, their pen. But dem need leaders wey go guide dem well.
For Puebla, the date dey remind dem say dem fit overcome any challenge. From the hills of Loreto and Guadalupe to the factories of today, the spirit of resistance dey live. But for the whole country, the struggle continue.
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