Editor’s Note: The Selective Echo welcomes once again Mark Alvarez, who is in Mexico City with his wife Lorena. Mark shares some Cinco de Mayo observations. There is a wonderful gem of irony at the end.

In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juarez suspended payment of Mexico’s foreign debt. England, France and Spain sent a force to Mexico to collect the debt. Shortly thereafter, England and Spain withdrew from the coalition, but France, under Emperor Napoleon III and with perhaps the greatest military force in the world, continued the invasion.

On May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla, General Ignacio Zaragoza led Mexican forces against the French army. The larger and better equipped French army made several attempts to take the Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, but each time the Mexican forces repeled the attack. After several hours, the French forces withdrew from the battle.

Though Napoleon III later would attempt to impose on Mexico a monarchical government headed by Emperor Maximiliano of Hapsburg, that attempt would fail in 1867 with the defeat and execution of Emperor Maximiliano in Queretaro, Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the strength, determination and resolve of the Mexican people. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the Mexican State of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Midvale and other cities along the Wasatch Front. Cinco de Mayo is highlighted in Utah’s Official Scenic Calendar.

But Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico City. The Mexican Stock Market is open, and many people are at work. Here, Cinco de Mayo is to Puebla what July 24 is to Utah. Might as well drink to both.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon traveled to Puebla to take part in the local celebration. Calderon spoke about Mexicans fighting bravely to defeat a formidable enemy. Calderon urged Mexicans to fight today’s enemies, poverty and crime, with such bravery and determination.

So, here’s to the Mexican people showing the strenght, determination and resolve to confront Mexico’s challenges of the twenty-first century. And here’s to celebrations everywhere of the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla.

Timing is everything. A moment ago, I tuned in to TV Azteca. What you ask is showing in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo? Why, a movie starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton and Jason Patric. Yep, you guessed it: The Alamo.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.