Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, is celebrated internationally
as a day of Mexican pride. The day is synonymous with parties, parades,
celebrations, and cerveza. But how much
do you really know about this holiday and its origin?
1. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo does not commemorate
the independence of Mexico!
On May 5th, 1862, Mexico defeated French Armed Forces in the Battle of Puebla,
thereby finishing efforts by France to occupy the land. A ginormous, historical
victory, Mexican troops were greatly outnumbered despite fighting on their own
turf. Officially, Mexican Independence Day is observed by the government and
citizens of Mexico on September 16th, and is celebrated in Mexico by a much
larger party.
2. All Mexicans do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Since the Battle of Puebla was won in the town of Puebla, the town serves as an
epicenter to Cinco de Mayo festivities.
Locals cook delicious food and enjoy music and dancing. These celebrations occur in other parts of
Mexico, but not country-wide.
3. People in the U.S. celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than people in
Mexico.
While its Mexican origins are important and legitimate, Cinco de Mayo has over
time become a big hit in the United States! With many Mexican immigrants
assimilating to American society and remembering their roots and loving an
excuse to party, it is not a great mystery that Cinco de Mayo has become a
holiday in the United States. While the holiday is not federally observed, you
will be hard-pressed to find a major city in the US without a handful of
institutions or bars hosting Cinco de Mayo themed activities.
4. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated uniquely around the world.
The festive spirit of this holiday has captured the hearts of some people
enough to inspire them to celebrate in a completely avant-garde way. Every year
for Cinco de Mayo, the city of Vancouver holds Cinco de Mayo Skydiving, there
is an internationally acclaimed air guitar contest in the Cayman Islands, and
people of the island of Malta hold Mexican beer drinking contests. The best
celebration may be in the town of Chandler, Arizona, which has a Chihuahua
parade!
5. Red, white, and green dishes are popular on Cinco de Mayo.
While no specific Mexican dishes are attributed to this holiday, many people
prefer to serve dishes which originate in Puebla, such as dishes featuring mole
poblano or chiles en nogada; the latter being an especially appropriate dish
due to featuring all three colors of the Mexican flag: red, white and green.
Click to find out more about
Spanish in Mexico.
