Some Articles by John Schmal
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I read with great interest the 5 de Mayo article regarding Maximilian and the French forces - all of which is true of course. However, it is my understanding that 5 de Mayo was first celebrated by the Americans, because of another French-related war that was waged against Mexico, after the French had been "kicked out".
This war is called (if I remember correctly) "La Guerra de los Panaderos". A succint recollection of this incident is as follows:
Apparently, Mexican nationals had vandalized bakeries still owned by the French in Mexico City, and a big riot broke out. The French demanded reparations for the French citizens, Mexico declined. It was at this time, that the French sent in troops to once again take over Mexico, but the Mexicans defeated them on May 5th. Mexicans themselves did not see it as a victory because they landed paying restitutions anyway and lost lives during the short lived war/battle.
Americans began to celebrate this occasion, because that was the
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