Honoring Mexican American Culture Cinco De Mayo, Spanish for “Fifth of May,” has been a national holiday since 1862.
Celebrations for the holiday began in Columbia, California, where they are still annually celebrated to this day.
The Battle of Puebla was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and was against the French in 1862.
The Mexican army was smaller and poorly equipped while the French Army was larger and better-equipped.
The battle lasted less than a full day, as the French retreated when they had lost nearly 500 soldiers.
Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the battle.
“Many people mistakenly think that it is Mexican Independence Day which is celebrated on September 16,” Spanish teacher Alison Todd said.
Todd said that many people in Mexico do not call the holiday Cinco De Mayo.
Instead, they call it “El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla,” which translates to The Day of the Battle of Puebla.
On May 9, 1862, President Juarez declared that the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla would be a national holiday called, “Battle of Puebla Day” or Cinco De Mayo. After Juarez, there was a long rule of Dictator Porforio Diaz, who fought on May 5, and associated his reign with Cinco De Mayo.
This kept celebrations in Mexico very lively for a while, but they died down after he was deposed in the Mexican Revolution.
Cinco De Mayo is not observed as a national holiday in Mexico anymore, however all public schools close down during the holiday. In Puebla and Veracruz it is considered a full holiday (no work).
In Mexico, commemoration of the battle is mostly ceremonial: celebrating with military parades or battle reenactments.
Originally, Cinco De Mayo reached the U.S. because of commercials for the holidays.
Nowadays, it is even considered an American Holiday with Mexican roots.
Todd said that, in the U.S. people made the holiday more of a “reason to celebrate and have food and drinks than it really is to people in Mexico.”
Specifically in San Francisco, New York City and Miami, celebrations are high.
San Francisco actually holds an annual “Cinco De Mayo on the Hill” event which takes place in Bernal Heights neighborhood.
According to Travel Insured International, the event features food vendors, live music and even a salsa dancing contest.
New York City’s Cinco De Mayo celebrations take place in East Harlem.
Festivities include live music, traditional Mexican food and a parade.
As for Miami, their “Cinco De Mayo Brickell” celebration takes place in the financial district of the city. Live music, food and drink vendors and a lively street party atmosphere are all featured.
Another prominent place of celebration for Cinco de Mayo would be Florence, Italy.
In Florence, there is a large expansion of diversity, and a growing affinity for Latin Culture, according to The Florentine.
The city will be holding a mariachi concert on May 3-4 involving the five members from dance troupe Mariachi el Magnifico de Florencia.