Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May in Spanish. It is celebrated internationally as a day of Mexican pride and typically brings a day of joyous traditional celebration. But how much do you really know about this holiday and its origin?
AllStudyAbroad has compiled a small list of factoids for you to impress your new friends with while studying Spanish in Mexico:
1. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo does not commemorate Mexico's independence!
On May 5th, 1862, Mexico defeated French Armed Forces in the Battle of Puebla, thereby ceasing efforts by France to occupy the land. It is hailed as a tremendous and historical victory, as Mexican troops were greatly outnumbered despite fighting at home. The official Mexican Independence Day is observed by the government and citizens of Mexico on September 16th, and brings a much larger celebration.
2. Cinco de Mayo is not a holiday celebrated by all Mexicans.
Because the Battle of Puebla was won in (surprise!) 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. Cinco de Mayo is a larger celebration in the United States than 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 its large population of Mexican immigrants assimilating to American society and remembering its roots and its own natives 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 recognized around the world in some very unique ways..
This holiday's festive spirit 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. Even in the town of Chandler, Arizona has a Chihuahua parade!
5. On Cinco de Mayo, people sometimes eat food the same color as the Mexican flag.
There are no Mexican dishes which are specific to this holiday, but 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.
For more information about your options for studying Spanish in Mexico, visit
Spanish-Schools.com
AmeriSpan Mexico Schools
Spanish in Latin America
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