Cinco de Mayo: History, Facts, and Celebrations

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So Cinco de Mayo is coming and you’re ready to don your poncho, slap on your sombrero, gorge on guacamole, lick the salt off that margarita glass and celebrate the Mexican holiday that commemorates…

Shoot, it’s that holiday that we celebrate because…

Is it the Mexican Independence Day? No. The Mexican independence day falls on September 16, and is the most important national patriotic holiday in the country.
Does it celebrate the invention of maracas? Unfortunately, no. Maracas are native to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba and Guatemala.

Cinco de Mayo, as celebrated in the US, is unique in that it is the most celebrated holiday that no one knows the reason for. Did you know that in Mexico, the state of Puebla is typically the only regiont o celebrate the holiday? The fifth day of May isn’t a national holiday in Mexico and is insignificant to many citizens.
So why do we celebrate the holiday in the US and other countries? Cinco de Mayo has a history, dating back to May 5, 1862, when 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a fancy dancy French army that was more than twice their size. Imagine Emperor Napoleon III’s anger when he was defeated by a body smaller than his own! This event was significant because the French army had not lost a battle such as this in more than 50 years.

But there’s another reason that the day was significant; a reason that could perhaps give Americans a better understanding for why we should celebrate the holiday. Because of the Mexican defeat at the Battle of Puebla, as it became known, the French was not able to continue to supply weapons to the Confederate army, giving the Union army the time and means to build up their army and strategic battle plan and defeat the Confederates at Gettysburg 14 months later.

Now there’s a reason to celebrate!

This year, celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way. Take a short trip to one of the following cinco destinations to experience a rich celebration of Mexican and American culture.

1. Dust off that passport and head down to the Gulf Coast of Mexico to the state of Puebla! You won’t see a celebration like it in the US. Mexico celebrates with a bright, loud parade down the Avienda Cinco de Mayo, reenactments of the 1862 battle, mariachi music, traditional dancing, cultural festivals, more dancing, local feasts, fireworks, piñatas and copious amounts of alcohol! While there, be sure to pay your respects at the tomb and monument of Ignacio Zaragoza, the general that led Mexico to victory on that infamous day.

2. Head to Denver, Colorado, a somewhat unlikely place for one of the largest Cinco festivals in the United States. In its 23rd year, this festival, located in Civic Center Park, includes plenty of Mexican food, artwork, crafts and music. This year, the celebration takes place on May 8 and 9 from 10am until 8pm both days. Admission is free, so there’s no reason not to be there!

3. For an unusual Cinco de Mayo, your destination should be Chandler, Arizona. This year on Saturday, May 1 from 10am to 11pm, be at the Chandler Public Library courtyard to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by signing your Mexican dog up for a Chihuahua race! Admission to the event is free. Settle in early to a seat at the beer garden for an excellent view of the races, and enjoy the traditional Mexican music while you cheer on your favorite little pup.

4. For a family friendly event, head to northern California to the streets of San Pablo, about an hour outside of San Francisco. This city is the host to an enormous parade and festival that is hosted by St Paul’s church and school. Alcohol is not permitted at this event, and most of the entertainment is geared toward young children.

5. Throw your own bash with the following help:

Make a killer margarita: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1t4s238.html

Host a trivia [drinking] game: http://www.purpletrail.com/partytrail/holiday_parties/cinco_de_mayo/cinco-de-mayo-trivia-facts

Buy inflatable sombreros, fiesta printed confetti and chili pepper stirrers, to really get the feeling right:

http://partysupplieshut.makesparties.com/Catalog.aspx?intDisplayableProductID=124147&intDisplayableCategoryID=3271

So in the same way that you drink Shamrock Shakes, eat corned beef and cabbage and drink copious amount of alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day, eat bratwurst and drink copious amounts of alcohol during Oktoberfest, wave the red white and blue and drink copious amounts of alcohol on July 4th, put on that poncho, pick up that margarita glass, take shots out of that cactus shaped shot glass and bust open that piñata! Celebrate Mexican heritage and celebrate their defeat of the French!

Resource by L.Fuller

I am a fanatic when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I enjoy going to the gym, working out, hiking, camping, and overall just learning how to stay happy and healthy.

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