Every May 5th, Americans love to celebrate. Generally, they have no idea the historical context for the celebration, just that it’s time to drink! Most of the time it’s inaccurately regarded as the Mexican Independence Day. That couldn’t be any more incorrect (It’s September 16th, by the way)

In the U.S., Cinco de Mayo is often seen as a celebration of Mexican culture, but it’s more accurately a commemoration of the Battle of Puebla and not a national holiday in Mexico. 

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Battle of Puebla, 1862

More popular in the United States than in Mexico,^[3] Cinco de Mayo has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture.^[4][5][6] Celebrations began in Columbia, California, where they have been observed annually since 1862.^[7] The day gained nationwide popularity beyond those of Mexican-American heritage in the 1980s due to advertising campaigns by beer, wine, and tequila companies; today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl.^[8] In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with various festivals and reenactments of the battle.

Cinco de Mayo (Mexican Spanish: [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo]; Spanish for ‘Fifth of May’) is an annual celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico‘s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862,^[1][2] led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.

The victory feeling was short lived, as Zaragoza died months after the battle from an illness. A larger French force ultimately defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla and then occupied Mexico City.

Following the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States began lending money and guns to the Mexican Liberals, pushing France and Mexican Conservatives to the edge of defeat. At the opening of the French chambers in January 1866, Napoleon III announced that he would withdraw French troops from Mexico. In reply to a French request for American neutrality, the American secretary of state William H. Seward replied that French withdrawal from Mexico should be unconditional.

~ Wikipedia

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Cuarto de Burro: The Battle of Puebla 2015

In 2015, I was dating a mother of two daughters. She was a well-connected person. So it was no surprise to me when we received an invite from the Sparkle Donkey Tequila owners to celebrate with them on Cinco de Mayo Weekend.

Getting in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo? Why not join the party early with our good friends at Sparkle Donkey Tequila for Cuatro de Burro – The Battle of Puebla: French Apology Tour?!

MONDAY, May 4th 5:30 p.m. SHARP!

Sponsored by “The World’s Most Historic Tequila™” – Sparkle Donkey – to commemorate the journey of the donkey that bears the tequila’s name. Join the pub crawl for drink specials at various watering holes accompanied by a 5-piece mariachi band and noble donkeys leading the route through Ballard.

Start in Seattle’s Ballard Neighborhood Across from NW Market & Barnes Ave NW by the Old Peculiar.

Free sombreros OR French berets to the first 200 participants!

Make sure to sign up! Join on Facebook through cuatrodeburro.com and invite your friends to join us.

Learn the true history of the day BEFORE the Battle of Puebla of 1862. Do your research and come prepared as either a Mexican national or French regular as we reveal the remarkable history behind the day before Cinco de Mayo. Join us as we re-enact the legendary journey of “El Burro Esparkalo” (aka The Sparkle Donkey) and make amends for French aggression… on the ORIGINAL holiday that made Cinco de Mayo possible: Cuatro de Burro*.

*Cuatro de Burro is allegedly the original holiday on which Cinco de Mayo, the popular US holiday is based… but it is much older, and therefore more important.

~ Tate’s List Facebook Page

Sparkle Donkey Tequila sponsored a pub crawl through Ballard. 10 bars, 10 shots of tequila. Cher and I dug in just to maintain with the younger crowd, met new friends and caught up with familiar friends.

List of bars, etc.

• The Lock & Keel
• King’s Hardware
• Hattie’s Hat
• The Sunset
• Matador
• The Market Arms
• Ballard Station Public House
• El Barracho
• Kangaroo & Kiwi
• First stop unknown

Needless to say, it was a blast for Monday afternoon, yet we were so, so wrecked! I will not be duplicating that kind of effort on Monday, May 5, 2025 [ten years later] All y’all can enjoy that for me.