Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when Mexican forces defeated a French force attempting to occupy Mexico City. French Emperor Louis Napoleon (Napoleon III) desired a colony in the Western Hemisphere, and enlisted Maxmillian, of the Austrian Hapsburgs, and his Belgian wife Charolette (Carlotta) to rule as the monarchs of Mexico. While the Mexicans defeated the French at Puebla, Maxmillian eventually did reign in Mexico, while Mexican forces under the leadership of Bentio Juarez, the "Lincoln of Mexico", attempted to drive the French out -- The occupation ended in 1867, when Maxmillian was executed.

Ironically, the Mexican commander at Puebla, Porfirio Diaz, became absolute dictator of Mexico after Juarez died, and was thrown out in a bloody revolution in 1910, that made Zapata and Pancho Villa house-hold names.

Can you tell I took several Latin American history classes in university?! :mrgreen:

I am wearing my Mexican Guayubera shirt today in honour of Cinco de Mayo, and having lunch at a Mexican restaurant.

Viva Mexico!

Todd