Reclaiming Cinco De Mayo

England, Spain, and France reacted severely to Juarez's action and sent troops to Vera Cruz to collect on their debt. (After realizing the French intended to replace Juarez's constitutional government with a French- controlled monarchy, England and Spain signed agreements with the Juarez government arranging for future payments and withdrew their armies, wanting no part in the ensuing invasion.) On May 5, 1862, en route to Mexico City, the French Army fought the Mexicans near the city of Puebla. Aided by muddy fields (due to rainstorms) and the ingenious use of hundreds of stampeding cattle, the Mexican force (4, 000 men) led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated an army twice its size. This victory against Napoleon's famed army, which had won victories throughout Europe, gave rise to immense national pride and Cinco de Mayo was solidified as a national day of celebration. http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views06/0505-31.htm

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