Cinco de Mayo: Cinco de Mayo 2025: What is its significance? This is how you celebrate the day
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo, Spain, was the day when people commemorated the defeat of the French in the Battle of Puebla. Mexican troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated 6,000 armed French troops on May 5, 1862 in Puebla de Los Angeles in Los Angeles.
According to the South Bend Tribune report, although the French eventually occupied Mexico, the victory delayed their progress. It became a symbol of opposition to imperialism.
It is worth noting that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Mexico's Independence Day was observed on September 16, marking a call for the 1810 uprising of Spanish ruling led by pastor Miguel Hidalgo.
There are reportedly no national Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico. It only observed battlefield reenactments and armed forces parades in Puebla.
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Why is Cinco de Mayo more popular in the United States than in Mexico?
Historians reportedly explained that Mexican-Americans were the first person to observe American holidays in the 1860s after the Mexican-American War. The celebrations gained momentum in the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s, and the holidays were associated with a wider theme of cultural pride and resistance.
Then, in the 1980s, American businesses commodified the holiday and turned it into a gathering focused on Mexican food and liquor, especially margaritas and beer. However, since then, this raises allegations of cultural occupation and erasure of the origins of the holiday.
Celebrations in the United States
Cinco de Mayo is widely observed through community events, bar crawls, live music and cultural performances. Cities such as Boston, New Bedford and Providence have reportedly hosted food festivals, DJ parties and vineyard gatherings.
What do Mexicans think about this?
For many Mexicans, the importance of the holiday is obvious compared to September 16. Silvia Lugo Garcia, a Puebra resident, was quoted saying that Cinco de Mayo is a local celebration, not a public holiday.
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Some people think that the celebrations in the United States are too much or unreal. But, like historian Mario Garcia, others believe that respect and awareness celebrating Cinco de Mayo is acceptable. Mario said that if people understand what the day really means, they might understand how it applies to today’s Hispanic and Latino communities.
Is it OK to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Yes, but culturally sensitive. Professionals recommend celebrations that recognize Mexican heritage without relying on stereotypes.
FAQ
1. Is Independence Day at Cinco de Mayo in Mexico?
No, Mexico's Independence Day is September 16; Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico's defeat of the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
2. Why are Cinco de Mayo celebrated in the United States more than in Mexico?
Mexican Americans used it as a symbol of power, and later commercialized in the United States to become a widely observed festival of meals, drinks and celebrations.
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