WESTLAND, Mich. -- While Cinco de Mayo continues to be ceremoniously commemorated in Mexico, it has become something of a cultural celebration in the United States, with people of all ethnicities showing their appreciation for all aspects of the Mexican culture. While many people of Mexican heritage have had a significant impact on the world, here are a couple who deserve special recognition for their game-changing, history-making contributions to the human race.
1. IGNACIO ZARAGOZA
Kicking off this list is the man behind Cinco de Mayo: Ignacio Zaragoza. On May 5th, 1862, General Charles de Lorencez led a force of 8,000 French soldiers into Mexico to occupy the city of Puebla, under orders from Napoleon III. Located halfway between the capital of Mexico City and the country's main Atlantic port, Veracruz, controlling Puebla meant a strategic advantage for the French in following through with Napoleon III's desire to set up a Mexican puppet regime. However, what the French weren't counting on when they marched into Puebla that day was a tenacious officer of the Mexican Army by the name of Ignacio Zaragoza.
Zaragoza and his army of 6,000 occupied Puebla's nearby forts and were poorly equipped and trained, and not to mention considerably outnumbered by Lorencez. The French Army, on the other hand, was considered the best in the world at the time, well-equipped, highly trained, and going undefeated for nearly 50 years. Those odds didn't quell the fiery spirit of Zaragoza and his men, however, as they ultimately forced the French to retreat and prevented them from marching on to the capital.
Zaragoza's victory not only helped to establish a sense of unity and patriotism amongst the Mexican people but also sent a message to the rest of the world that, despite not being as advanced in military and infrastructure at the time, Mexico was not to be underestimated. Additionally, some historians consider it the catalyst that started Mexico down the road to revolution, and eventual independence from Spain.
2. SELENA
Regarded as the "Queen of Tejano Music", Selena's immense contributions to both music and fashion have immortalized her as one of the most prolific entertainers of all time, whose legacy arguably set the stage for Latinas in mainstream music. Her father, a former Mexican-American musician, noticed her talent as a vocalist when she was six-years-old, describing her as having perfect pitch and timing. Selena was also a natural performer, feeling right at home on stage and holding the crowd in the palm of her hand with her radiant personality and interactive presence. With her band Selena y Los Dinos, including her brother on bass guitar and her sister on drums, Selena skyrocketed to stardom with her recordings of Tejano music compositions; a male-dominated, Spanish-language genre popular with Mexican-Americans.
She would later go on to release her debut self-titled album in 1989, with her brother taking on the role of producer for the remainder of her career. Her fourth album, Amor Prohibido, was nominated for a Grammy, won Record of the Year at the 1995 Tejano Music Awards, and was among the best-selling US albums in the same year. Selena also had an eye for fashion, designing all of the costumes she wore on stage and eventually her own commercial line, opening a boutique in her hometown of Corpus Christi and another in San Antonio, Texas.
Selena's life was tragically cut short on March 31st, 1995 when she was murdered by her close friend and registered agent, Yolanda Saldivar after it was discovered that Saldivar had embezzled more than $30,000 from both the boutiques and fan club. Dreaming Of You, the English crossover album she had been working on shortly before her death, was posthumously released in July of the same year selling 170,000 copies in a single day - a then-record for a female recording artist - and 331,000 in its first week.
3. FRIDA KAHLO
A gifted, self-taught painter and considered one of Mexico's most important figures of the twentieth century, Frida Khalo's work often reflected aspects of her frequently chaotic personal life, such as suffering a near-fatal and debilitating injury as a child (the effects of which followed her until her death), her struggles with childbirth, and her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera. Though tragedy marred nearly her entire life, Frida Kahlo's legacy and cultural impact are felt even 64 years after her death.
Khalo is an icon for women young and old alike in every part of the world, representing tenacity and strength in the face of overwhelming adversity whether social, political, or personal, and for these reasons is also iconic in the LGBTQ+ community. She is considered a forerunner in the emergence of feminist art, as well as the feminist movement in general.
4. RITCHIE VALENS
A rock & roll pioneer and forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Ritchie Valens' impact on and contribution to the music world is huge despite his tragically short life. Born Richard Valenzuela in the San Fernando Valley region of California to Mexican parents, Valens grew up on traditional mariachi and flamenco music, as well as R&B and jump blues. A naturally talented and self-taught guitarist and vocalist, he was known to seamlessly improvise new lyrics and add new riffs to popular songs at his live performances.
Valens got his stage name from his record label, who suggested he have a more "American-sounding" name in order to appeal to a wider audience i.e. cater to the racial and ethnic prejudice of the time in order establish a career. Valens reluctantly agreed but remained firmly planted in his Mexican roots, recording a rock & roll version of the traditional folk song "La Bamba", which held the number one spot on the US and UK singles charts in the same year. Despite not being a native speaker, Valens learned and performed the song entirely in the original Spanish to display his immense pride in his heritage. The success of "La Bamba" as a Spanish-language track in a predominately American genre effectively set the stage for Latin and Chicano rock and also sent a message to the largely prejudiced population that while they could change his name to sell records, Valens would never abandon his ancestry.
On February 3rd, 1959 regarded by many as "the day that music died", Valens along with fellow music greats Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, perished in a plane crash mere minutes after take-off. Valens was only 17-years-old. Despite his brief time on Earth, however, his legacy as the first Latino to successfully crossover into mainstream music has inspired countless generations after him to do the same.
5. DIEGO RIVERA
One of Mexico's greatest artists, Diego Rivera is credited with catalyzing the muralistic art movement along with Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. A revolutionary who used his art as a tool of social and political activism, Rivera courted controversy frequently throughout his career. His work promoted populist philosophies, that is, supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite. These ideas of social and political change in favor of the working class directly influenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs which helped to get American citizens back on their feet after being ravaged by the Great Depression.
Rivera has strong ties to Detroit as well, having painted the mural that lines the walls of Garden Court at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which he himself called his masterpiece and favorite of his career. The mural, entitled Detroit Industry, was commissioned by Edsel Ford and William Valentiner. It depicts Detroit's manufacturing industry as well as others such as medical and chemical. In true Rivera style, the mural also depicts scenes that were considered "radical" and "blasphemous" at the time (such as workers of different races working side by side) which earned him a great deal of criticism. Little did the critics know, he was actually painting a window to the future, as the Detroit of today is one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in the country.
This Cinco de Mayo, we hope you'll keep in mind these 5 world-changing all-stars of Mexican culture, and appreciate their game-changing contributions to history. While you're at it,
North Brothers Ford encourages you to explore the Mexican culture even further and see all the amazing things it has to offer including delicious food, vibrant art, and beautiful traditions that set it apart from any other on Earth. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 888-806-7163, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!
