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Cinco de Mayo talk at Lab examines Spain, American Revolution

Spain's contributions to the Revolutionary War is the subject of a lecture by author and historian Thomas Chavez at 11:30 a.m. on May 5 in the Physics Building Auditorium at Technical Area 3.

The author of the recently published "Spain and the Independence of the United States," Chavez is executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. He also is former director of the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe.

"The overall Spanish strategy is what finally resulted in the defeat of Great Britain," said Chavez. "The Revolutionary War was really a world war with confrontations in the 13 colonies, Europe, Latin America and as far away as India. Without Spain's involvement, the consequences of that war would have been vastly different."

Chavez said the Spanish empire helped the United States gain independence by supplying money, troops and diplomacy. Spain financed the battle of Yorktown with funds collected by Spanish officials in Havana, Chavez said.

"The birth of the United States is a great and wonderful story made even richer when the role of Spain is included," Chavez said.

Chavez earned his doctoral degree in history from the University of New Mexico. He is the author of "Conflict and Acculturation; Manuel Alvarez's 1841 Memorial;" "Manuel Alvarez, 1794-1856; A Southwestern Biography;" "In Quest for Quivira: Spanish Exploration on the Plains, An Illustrated History of New Mexico;" and "Spain and the Independence of the United States: An Intrinsic Gift."

The Hispanic Diversity Working Group and the Diversity (DVO) Office is sponsoring the program in recognition of Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in Mexico that signifies the anniversary of the May 5, 1862 battle of La Puebla, in which Mexican troops under General Ignacio Zaragosa defeated French forces under Napoleon III.

The working group also will also try to increase awareness of [ethnic] foods served in the Lab's cafeterias. Efforts to serve more foods representative of New Mexico's cultures is a partnership between DVO and Aramark Corp., the Lab's food service provider.

For more information on the talk, contact Yolanda Martinez of Protection Technology Los Alamos, chair of the Hispanic Diversity Working Group, at 5-7517 or write to yolanda@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Aramark cafeterias Aramark Corp., is serving a special Cinco de Mayo menu on Monday featuring foods of Mexico in the Otowi Building Cafeteria at Technical Area 3 and the TA-53 and TA-55 cafeterias. Menu items available for purchase include Albondigas Tortilla Soup Chile Rellenos Shrimp Vera Cruz Beef Fajitas Squash Casserole Spanish Rice Roasted Corn with Chipolte Cerviche Lunch is served in the Aramark cafeterias from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The menu is a la carte. For more information, call 7-3591.

-- Michael Carlson

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