Foggy Bottom’s second Cinco de Mayo celebration last Saturday—with a live Mariachi band and authentic Oaxacan (pronounced Waha- kan) tamales—started at the Watergate Mall Plaza with an audience of 40 that grew to 100 as the stiff breeze subsided and foreboding clouds dispersed. The event highlight was a passionate talk by Barbara Tenenbaum, Mexican Cultural Specialist from the Library of Congress.

She discussed the similarities between Mexican and U.S. values beginning with the objectives of presidential contemporaries, Benito Juarez and Abraham Lincoln, both challenged by civil wars.

Dr. Tenenbaum pointed out that Mexico, like the U.S., pushed monarchy aside for democracy, championed the end of slavery and the promise of liberty for all, and did not endorse the Church, as was typical of the South American and European countries of the time. She said this really represented the “New World,” a departure from the “Old World” of landed European aristocracy ruling the country.

At the time there were only two paths to attain success for the non-gentry, the Church or military. Juarez, an orphan and Zapotec Indian, chose neither and forged his own way, leaving his village and walking the 44 miles to Mexico City to begin his education. He became a lawyer, a judge, and ultimately entered politics, which cost him dearly. He lost five children while in office. He was imprisoned twice, scheduled for execution and went into hiding, once in the United States.

As Tenenbaum stated, Juarez, like Lincoln, was low-key—even said to be “boring”—because his focus was on nation building and a bigger cause rather than personal enrichment or selfaggrandizement. He chose to wear a black suit and refrained from the adornments of medals or a military uniform. Juarez could have easily accepted the imposition and aiding of then-Emperor Maximilian, but he took the more difficult path.

Foggy Bottom’s celebration of Cinco de Mayo is unique among U.S. celebrations. We are the guardians of the cherished Benito Juarez Memorial Statue, a gift from the Mexican people to the American people on the occasion of the opening of the Kennedy Center in 1968. Had our FB community not prevailed, the statue of Mexico’s first and still most beloved President would have been removed.

Our celebration also recognizes the friendship of the Mexican people—steadfast as allies—regardless of their economic and political situation. Juarez supported President Lincoln by returning Confederate generals and was likewise supported by Lincoln with much needed arms to fight the French at the end of our civil war. In WWII, Mexico sent their elite Aztec Eagles to provide air support with the 58th Fighter Group in the liberation of the Philippines. Flying P-47D “Thunderbolt” singleseat fighter aircraft, pilots flew long-range sorties over Formosa, earning praise from Allied theater commander, General Douglas MacArthur, and decorations from the U.S., Mexican and Philippine governments.

With FB community’s preservation and guardianship of Juarez Circle and its memorial statue, we celebrate our nations’ friendship and, in so doing, we learn more about Juarez — an exceptional leader — and of the highest of values shared among us as “true” fellow Americans.

This event was underwritten by the FBA Defense and Improvement Corporation in collaboration with the Mexican Cultural Institute.