May in Mexico – Cozumel History
May in Mexico by Monica Sauza
Among different celebrations taking place in Mexico during May, these are the most significant:
May 1st. The International Labor Movement Day, commonly known as Labor Day, is celebrated in most countries around the world. Oddly enough, although Labor Day in the US and in Canada take place in September, this day is celebrated paying tribute to union workers, the Chicago Martyrs, who fought for an eight hour labor day, starting with a strike on May 1st., 1886 and culminating in the Haymarket affair.
May 5 or, as otherwise known, the Battle of Puebla is a very important episode in Mexican history because it marks the defeat, by the Mexican Army, of large numbered and better equipped French troops. Due to the financial crisis that troubled the country, the recently elected President of Mexico, Benito Juarez, suspended foreign payments for two years. A year earlier, the creditors (France, England and Spain) had signed a treaty to intervene Mexico to defend their own interests. By February 1862, England and Spain withdrew from the treaty and from the country after several diplomatic negotiations with the Mexican government. However, seeing Mexico as a juicy bounty, France would not leave. The conflict unfolded. French imperial troops stationed in Veracruz headed off to invade Mexico City, crossing through Puebla. On the first large battle (April 28), the French lost 500 soldiers. Aiming to reach their destination- Mexico City-, on May 5 the French were besieged and defeated in Puebla. The victorious Battle of Puebla symbolizes the fighting spirit that represents the Mexican society.
While “5 de Mayo” is also celebrated in the US, it has unfortunately been mistaken for the Mexican Independence (September 16). The event widely celebrated in the US, is observed as a commemoration of the Mexican-American communities’ ethnic pride.
May 10 Unlike the US when it takes place on the second Sunday in May as approved by the US Congress in 1914, Mother’s Day is celebrated in Mexico every year on May 10 since 1922. Although not considered an official holiday this is such an important day in Mexico that many government or non-government offices give working mothers the day off; schools have festivals; flower shops are packed with colorful flowers in beautiful arrangements. In some places, restaurant reservations must be booked many days in advance, while others are so crowded that you can see people waiting outside, in long lines, so mom can enjoy a nice lunch. Many families make of this day a special get together enjoying a big lunch, which, ironically enough is usually prepared by mom. While flowers are still a favorite on this day, presents range from beauty products, clothes, trips, cards, etc. to appliances reminding mom “she’s the boss at home.” Mothers have been, are and will always be considered the center of the family. No matter where you are from and how you celebrate it, to all Moms, let yourself be spoiled, pampered and loved this Mother’s Day. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Mónica Sauza, licensed translator, for over twenty years has assisted local residents and companies, as well as foreign residents and non-residents in Cozumel with translations, consulting and other formalities.
May in Mexico - Historia ya Cozumel Mei katika Mexico na Monica Sauza Kati ya sherehe tofauti zinazofanyika Mexico wakati wa Mei, hizi ni muhimu zaidi: Mei 1. Siku ya Kimataifa ya Harakati za Wafanyakazi, inayojulikana kama Siku ya Wafanyakazi, huadhimishwa katika nchi nyingi ulimwenguni. Siku ya Wafanyakazi nchini Marekani na Canada huadhimishwa Septemba, lakini ni siku ya kuwaheshimu wafanyakazi wa vyama vya wafanyakazi, ambao walipigana kwa ajili ya siku ya kazi ya saa nane kuanzia mgomo wa Mei 1, 1886 na kuishia na tukio la Haymarket. Vita vya Puebla (Mwezi wa 5 Mei - Mei 5, 1953) ni vita muhimu sana katika historia ya Mexico, kwa sababu inaashiria kushindwa kwa jeshi la Mexico la vikosi vikubwa vya Ufaransa na vyenye vifaa bora. Kwa sababu ya mgogoro wa kifedha uliosababisha matatizo nchini, Rais wa Mexico, Benito Juarez, alisimamisha malipo ya kigeni kwa miaka miwili. Mwaka mmoja kabla ya hapo, wakopeshaji (Ufaransa, Uingereza na Hispania) walikuwa wamesaini mkataba wa kuingilia kati Mexico ili kutetea maslahi yao wenyewe. Mnamo Februari 1862, Uingereza na Hispania ziliondoka katika mkataba huo na kutoka nchini baada ya mazungumzo kadhaa ya kidiplomasia na serikali ya Mexico. Hata hivyo, kwa kuwa Ufaransa iliona Mexico kuwa zawadi nzuri, haikukubali kuondoka. Mzozo huo ulianza. Majeshi ya kifalme ya Ufaransa yaliyokuwa katika Veracruz yalielekea kuvamia Mexico City, yakivuka Puebla. Katika vita vikubwa vya kwanza, Ufaransa ilipoteza askari 500. Kwa hiyo, walipofika Mexico City, walipigwa ngome na kuangamizwa. Vita vya Puebla vilivyofanikiwa huwakilisha roho ya kupigana inayowakilisha jamii ya Mexico. Ingawa <unk>5 de Mayo<unk> pia huadhimishwa nchini Marekani, kwa bahati mbaya imedanganywa na Uhuru wa Mexico (Septemba 16). Tukio hilo linaadhimishwa sana nchini Marekani, na linatazamwa kama ukumbusho wa kiburi cha kikabila cha jamii za Wamarekani wa Mexico. Siku ya Mama ni siku ya pili ya Jumapili ya pili ya mwezi Mei nchini Marekani, na ni siku ya kwanza nchini Mexico kusherehekea siku ya mama tangu mwaka 1922. Ingawa siku hii haichukuliwi kama sikukuu rasmi, ni siku muhimu sana nchini Mexico kwamba ofisi nyingi za serikali au zisizo za serikali huwapa mama wanaofanya kazi siku ya kupumzika; shule zina sherehe; maduka ya maua yana maua yenye rangi mbalimbali katika mpangilio mzuri. Katika baadhi ya maeneo, nafasi za mikahawa lazima zihifadhiwe siku nyingi mapema, wakati wengine ni msongamano sana kwamba unaweza kuona watu kusubiri nje, katika mistari ndefu, hivyo mama anaweza kufurahia chakula cha mchana nzuri. Familia nyingi hufanya siku hii kuwa ya pekee kwa kukutana pamoja na kufurahia chakula kikubwa cha mchana, ambacho, kwa kushangaza, kwa kawaida hutengenezwa na mama. Wakati maua bado ni favorite siku hii, zawadi mbalimbali kutoka bidhaa za uzuri, nguo, safari, kadi, nk. "Mama ni bosi nyumbani, mama wamekuwa, ni na daima watahesabiwa kuwa kitovu cha familia.""" Haijalishi unatoka wapi na jinsi unavyosherehekea, kwa Mama wote, acha mwenyewe kuharibiwa, kufurahishwa na kupendwa Siku ya Mama hii. Siku ya Mama yenye Furaha! Mónica Sauza, mtafsiri aliyehitimu, kwa zaidi ya miaka ishirini amesaidia wakazi wa ndani na makampuni, pamoja na wakazi wa kigeni na wasio wakazi katika Cozumel na tafsiri, ushauri na taratibu nyingine.