Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated on May 5th. In Spanish, “cinco” means five, and “Mayo” means May.
Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is the Mexican Independence Day, sometimes called “El Grito.” Mexican Independence Day is actually celebrated on September 16th.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the battle of Puebla in 1862. The French had invaded Mexico and tried to take it over because Mexico owed them a lot of money and was unable to pay.
Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of victory for a small, poorly armed Mexican militia against a much larger, better armed French army.
In Mexico, the holiday is mostly celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place.
In the United States, the holiday is celebrated wherever there is a large population of people of Mexican heritage.
Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture, a time to rejoice in the Mexican heritage, love of the motherland, freedom, and hope.
There are delicious traditional foods to eat, especially those made with Mole, a sauce made with over 40 spices including chocolate!
There are traditional dances to see. The dancers look so beautiful in their festive dresses!
Mariachi bands play traditional Mexican folk music.
Everything is awash in vibrant festive colors.
At the end of the Cinco de Mayo celebration, people say Viva Mexico! That means “Long live Mexico!” It’s fun to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
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