Cinco de Mayo

While the United States was fighting the Civil War, citizens of the newly established Mexican government were battling the heavily armed forces of the French. Against all odds, Mexico won this battle on May 5, 1862. Though more battles needed to be won before Mexico was truly free, today both Mexicans and Americans remember this important victory by celebrating Cinco de Mayo. To find out more, use the direct links on The Times Launchpoint Web site:

https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint/

Here are the best sites for getting your schoolwork done or for just having fun.

LEVEL ONE

Origin of Cinco de Mayo: This brief, illustrated account describes the events leading to the Battle of Puebla. Find out about Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian who became president of Mexico and was considered one of the greatest heroes in Mexican history.

https://128.123.31.49/vista/esl/m5_hstry.html

Celebrate the Cinco de Mayo: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day; that happens to be Sept. 16. Learn why Cinco de Mayo is an important day in Mexican history.

https://www.ondanet.com:1995/tejano/tejads/MiGente/April/CincoDeMayo.html

On Cinco de Mayo, be “Mexican” for a Day: Read a dramatization of how Gen. Ignacia Zaragoza, his soldiers and the townspeople of Puebla defeated a far larger, more experienced and better-equipped French army. Learn about Cinco de Mayo celebrations and how to make your own pinata.

https://www.projo.com/special/cincode/main.htm

LEVEL TWO

El Barrio de la Misi: Mexico’s President Benito Juarez said, “The government of the republic will fulfill its duty to defend its independence, to repel foreign aggression, and accept the struggle to which it has been provoked, counting on the unanimous spirit of the Mexicans and on the fact that sooner or later the cause of rights and justice will triumph.” Learn three reasons why the Cinco de Mayo battle is still remembered today.

https://www.kqed.org/fromKQED/Cell/Calhist/cinco.html

Cinco de Mayo de 1862--La Batalla de Puebla: Napoleon III, emperor of the Second French Empire, not only wanted to collect the money that Mexico owed France but also wanted to set up a monarchy that would rule Mexico, Central America and South America. Find out how these plans led to the Battle of Puebla in this account written in both English and Spanish.

https://www.nacnet.org/assunta/spa5may.htm

The Significance of Cinco de Mayo: Learn about parallels in the careers of Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln and how France’s attempt at expanding its empire to North America affected Mexico and the United States.

https://www.cincodemayopdx.com/sig.html

LEVEL THREE

History of Mexico: Social History 1824-1867: Trace the pivotal role Benito Juarez played in Mexico’s history and learn about the social, political and cultural events that led to the French invading, but finally leaving, Mexico.

https://www.emayzine.com/lectures/MEX4.html

History of Maximilian and Carlota: Learn how two foreigners--Maximilian and Carlota of Austria--were deceived by French monarch Napoleon III into thinking that the people of Mexico wanted them to rule their country.

https://www.grandopera.com/hc.html

Holiday? Although Mexico beat the French in the Cinco de Mayo victory, the French won other battles and succeeded in naming Austrian archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Hapsburg as emperor of Mexico. Read how Benito Juarez and his troops finally defeated the French and Mexico was finally free.

https://teamball.sdsu.edu/daztec/archive/1996/05/01/file001.html

Launch Point is produced by the UC Irvine department of education, which reviews each site for appropriateness and quality. Even so, parents should supervise their children’s use of the Internet. This week’s column was designed by Anna Manring and Stan Woo-Sam.

EXPLORER’S QUEST

The answer to this Internet quiz can be found in the sites at right.

Mexico’s President Benito Juarez turned to what U.S. president for help in his country’s war with the French?

Clue: See The Significance of Cinco de Mayo

Find What You Need to Know: Have a project on California history? Need help doing a math problem? Launch Point now covers more than 40 topics for getting your schoolwork done. Go to https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint/ for the full list of subjects and direct links to the best Internet sites.

Answer to last week’s quest: Emotion is the secret to cartooning.