Happy Cinco de Mayo, Y'all!

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army's win against the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, though, ironically, the holiday is not widely observed in Mexico. Interestingly enough, the Fifth of May is actually more of a Mexican-American phenomenon and was popularized by the Chicano movement of the 1940s and 1950s.

Here in Texas, Cinco de Mayo is a big event. And it should be, considering that Texas was actually part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas from the founding of Mexico until 1836. Today, I believe, is a good day to note that Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," was not only a Mexican citizen but a strong supporter of bilingual education. Yes, indeed, good ol' Stephen F. Austin was a holder of a Mexican passport, and he truly believed that bilingualism would help the Old Three Hundred better assimilate to life in Mexico (See: Carlos Kevin Blanton's The Strange Career of Bilingual Education in Texas, 1836-1981).   

Speaking of Austin, here is Alejandro Escovedo playing "Heartbeat Smile."