History Book - Mexico’s big day in the U.S.A.

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, May 2nd. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown. Coming next, the WORLD History Book. Today, two newsworthy anniversaries—both on May 5th. Here’s Paul Butler.

PAUL BUTLER, REPORTER: Cinco de Mayo celebrations like this one are happening all across the United States this week with traditional Mexican dances and cuisine. A 2019 Avocado growers survey found nearly 8 out of 10 Americans believe the holiday celebrates Mexican independence...

BAUTISTA: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. That’s Septembber 15th and 16th. So then, what is it? Why do we celebrate? Nobody really knows…

That’s David Hayes Bautista—he knows. He’s the author of El Cinco de Mayo: an American Tradition. Audio courtesy of University of California Television.

Three wars in the early to mid 19th century left Mexico heavily indebted to a handful of European countries—including France. When Mexico defaulted on their loans, France sent troops to collect payment.

What’s more, Napoleon III desired to reestablish a French outpost in the New World. He was sore over how much land his uncle sold decades earlier to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase.

French troops arrived on Mexican shores in 1861. When talks broke down, expeditionary troops began their march toward Mexico City. On their way they met the Mexican army near the city of Puebla. Though greatly outnumbered, the Mexican army beat back the French on May 5th.

CLIP: In Mexico to this day, the Battle of Puebla “Oh well, ladedah. The Mexican Army beat the French Army.” Well here, the effect that it had was very different. After a year of hearing of nothing but Federal defeat after Federal defeat, this was like a ray of hope. Suddenly, for the first time, in a major battle the army of freedom and democracy finally beat the army of slavery and elitism and it just had an electrifying effect on Latinos all over the West.

The victory delayed the French take-over of Mexico—but it didn’t prevent it.

Still, the victory is commemorated each year: both in the Mexican state of Puebla—known there as The Day of the Battle of Puebla—and more broadly in the United States as Cinco de Mayo—a holiday celebrating Mexican heritage.

Sticking with May 5th. Let’s fast forward 125 years to 1987.

INOUYE: The joint hearings of the House Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran and the Senate Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition will come to order.

Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye opens the “Iran-Contra hearings.”

In the 1980s, senior officials in Ronald Regan’s administration secretly facilitated arms sales to Iran—in hopes of earning the release of seven American hostages. The proceeds were then quietly funneled to rebel groups in Nicaragua. Members of the National Security Council hoped the financial support of the insurgency would weaken the socialist Central American government.

It was done quietly because in 1982, Congress passed a series of amendments limiting U.S. assistance to the Contras. Meaning the secret project was not only under the table, but illegal. When news of the scandal emerged during Regan’s second term he appointed a three-person presidential commission to investigate.

Two months after the Tower Commission published its findings, the U.S. House and Senate called a joint hearing to investigate the matter further.

Once again, chairman Daniel Inouye from his opening remarks.

INOUYE: The American people will have every right to ask “how could this have happened here?” And as we answer that question, the American people will have every right to demand that it will never happen again. Indeed, it should never have happened at all.

The Senate select committee included six democrats and five republicans. The House select committee featured nine democrats and six GOP members—including Representative Dick Cheney of Wyoming:

CHENEY: A complete understanding of these events requires us to consider the context within which they occurred…

The Iran-Contra hearings lasted for 41 days—featuring many memorable moments. Including testimony from former national security advisor Robert McFarlane:

MCFARLANE: It is more than passing strange to me that we can not aspire to a policy that is more effective for dealing with terrorism…

Vice Admiral John Poindexter:

POINDEXTER: I must decline to answer that question at this time because of my constitutional rights under the 5th amendment.

And Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North:

NORTH: I never recall seeing a single document that gave me a clear indication that the President had specifically approved that action.

The hearings concluded August 3rd, 1987—ending as they began with comments from Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye.

INOUYE: My fellow Americans, out of this experience, may we all better understand and appreciate our Constitution, strive harder to preserve it, and make a fresh start at restoring the trust between the branches of government. For, in America, as 200 years ago, the people still rule.

With that, these hearings stand recessed until further call.

The Iran-Contra hearings eventually led to more than a dozen indictments and convictions. After George H. Bush lost his re-election bid in 1992 he pardoned six former Regan administration officials caught up in the scandal.

That’s this week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

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