Give us your poor, your tired, your victories against overwhelming odds, your food and spirits, and we’ll make it into a proper holiday.

America is a nation of mixed heritages, and nothing reflects that better than our holidays. Indeed, each one reflects a particular immigrant groups impact on our country. And, it should be noted, that these groups were not readily accepted in mainstream America. Each were discriminated against. Each were villianized by certain groups to be a threat against our ideals and principles. Such rubbish.

Yesterday, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo. One of my favorite days and not just for the food, although that’s a big part.:-) I grew up in the southwest and love the culture and indigenous live here. Whether it was the natives who carved the canals that carried the water for crops and made my hometown of Phoenix possible, or the Spanish explorers that brought Europeans to the area.

For one day, everyone can join the Mexican (Latino) family.

Even if Cinco de Mayo is not really celebrated in most of Mexico.

So what is Cinco de Mayo. It’s not Mexican Independence Day. In many ways it’s even better. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day when Mexican forces, out-numbered two-to-one, defeated the well-equipment and undefeated (almost 50 years of victories) French invading army at the Battle of Puebla.

And what American doesn’t love an underdog?

If that’s not enough, it is popularly believed that had the Mexicans been defeated at Puebla, France would have occupied Mexico. VEry significant for US history given that this happened in 1862 and France’s southern leanings. Since both the territories of New Mexico and Arizona had sided with the Confederacy, and Texas was a card carrying member of the CSA, the American Civil War could have ended very differently.

So raise your Margarita to those soldiers, civilians and peasants at the Battle of Puebla.