Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. What does this holiday mean? To Americans it’s a day to celebrate Mexican culture, but, oddly, in Mexico it is just another day of the week except for in Puebla, Mexico, where it is a big celebration.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla which was won by the Mexican army against France.
A lot of people think it is Mexican Independence Day, which is wrong. Mexican Dia de la Indepencia is celebrated on Sept. 16 which was declared some 50 years before at the Battle of Hildago.
Much like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Mexican on Cinco de Mayo. We celebrate Mexican food like tacos and mole poblano, drink margaritas and listen to mariachi groups.
It is an especially popular holiday in places where there is a large Hispanic population. Some of the biggest celebrations are in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston with parades, parties and Mexican folk dancing Chicano activists raised awareness of the hol
Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. The idea caught on and that is why we celebrate on the May 5 every year.
We can all celebrate our inner Mexican by going to our favorite Mexican food restaurants, and luckily for us there are plenty to choose from in Rockdale. Have fun! — K.W.C.
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