"Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in the United States, yet," Navarro said. "But maybe one day it will be."
Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday in Mexico either, according to Navarro. The day marks the victory of the defending Mexican army over the French as they attempted to invade the city of Puebla in 1862. She noted, however, that the French ultimately succeeded in conquering the city the following year.
The holiday was first celebrated in 1863 by Mexican Americans in California, Navarro explained. As the French prepared to re-attack Puebla, these Mexican Americans celebrated on May 5 to mark the anniversary of the Mexican's first victory.
Today, Cinco de Mayo represents a celebration of Mexican culture but also serves to unite Americans of Latino descent, Navarro said.
"On Cinco de Mayo, for some insane reason which does not make sense historically, we all are ready to get together like tonight to celebrate with good humor and many thanks," Navarro said.
Navarro, who is Spanish, was the first female professor to be hired at Dartmouth. She noted the diversity of the audience with pride.
"It is a pleasure that you are all a part of this community that for a long, long time didn't want you, didn't want us" Navarro said. "And therefore it is very good of you to have a Cinco de Mayo, even though we don't know what it is."
The event was jointly hosted by the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan and La Alianza Latina, William Martin '08, community chair of La Alianza, said. While the event has been held annually for about 10 years, this is the first time the two groups have collaborated, according to MEChA president Angelica Fuentes '11.
Fuentes, who is Mexican American, expressed her enthusiasm at having Navarro as the keynote speaker. She also noted the importance of explaining the truth behind Cinco de Mayo to the Dartmouth Community, especially as the holiday has become more commercialized and Americanized.
"In the U.S., it's become commercialized, kind of like St. Patrick's Day, just an excuse to party," Fuentes said. "I think we're aiming for [Navarro] to talk to us about what the actual significance of Cinco de Mayo is, and how it's helped to create our identity here as Latinos in America."
