Cinco de Mayo

About Cinco de Mayo:

May 5th or Cinco de Mayo, celebrates the victory against French forces in the city of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. It is also widely celebrated in the United States. For many years, Cinco de Mayo was promoted in the US as Mexican Independence Day, which is actually September 16. Although Mexican citizens feel very proud of the meaning of Cinco de Mayo it is not a national holiday in Mexico, but it is an official holiday in the State of Puebla where the mentioned battle took place.

Fun Facts

• In Mexico this celebration is not as important as they make it seem in the US. It is of more importance to people of Mexican heritage living in the US that to Mexicans living in Mexico.
• Union forces were then rushed to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French.  American soldiers were discharged with their uniforms and rifles if they promised to join the Mexican Army to fight the French.  The American Legion of Honor marched in the Victory Parade in Mexico, City.
• In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces.  As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join and fight another war for America.

Activities:

• Make maracas out of a paper plate with a handful of dried beans in it and staple the plate in half then shake. Making music is a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
• Make nachos and sangria juice made with your favorite fruit juices, soda water and fresh fruit.
• Have a Mexican Fiesta! Wear red, white and green the colors of the Mexican flag.
• Make a paper Mache piñata.