What is Cinco de Mayo? Hispanic teacher explains festival
- Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken as a celebration for Mexican independence
- The day is associated with mariachi music, alcohol and food
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for 'Fifth of May' and is observed to mark the Battle of Puebla and Mexico’s victory over French occupation in 1862 after the Reform War, that bankrupted the Mexican Treasury.
Because of this, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium and all foreign debt payments were suspended for two years.
Britain, France and Spain sent naval forces to demand reimbursement and although the other countries withdrew, France, ruled by Napoleon III, established an empire to favour the French and was part of the plan for ‘Latin America’.
The Battle of Puebla saw the Mexicans defeat the French army on May 5, 1862 in a day long battle, with the Mexico losing 100 soldiers, but France losing over 500.
On May 9, 1862, after becoming the new Mexican President, Benito Juarez declared that the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla would be marked as a national holiday, known as the Battle of Puebla Day or Battle of Cinco de Mayo.
What do the celebrations involve?
In Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with historical reenactments, parades and meals with loved ones.
The city also hosts the Festival Internacional de Puebla which sees musical artists and dancers take to the stage.
In other countries Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with an emphasis on food, drink and music.
Celebrations are held around the globe with events planned in major cities including London, Tokyo,
In the 1980s marketers, particularly beer companies, began to capitalize on the celebrations and began to promote it.
This commercialization means Cinco de Mayo celebrations are more widespread in the US than in Mexico.
Beer companies in the 1980s began to use the celebration to capitalize on Cinco de Mayo
The celebration was used as a tool by marketers to capitalize on it
It then exploded in popularity.
Everyone thinks it's a thing, so they eat tacos and drink margaritas.
Here is Carmen Electra
Salud: Workout guru Denise Austin shared a festive post as she wore a white blouse. 'Happy Cinco de Mayo!!! Celebrate today with some friends and a batch of my favorite Skinny Margs!
Salma Hayek tweeted that she hoped people were having a great day
Bonita: Sofia Vergara
Caliente: Hollywood actress Blanca Blanco celebrated Cinco de Mayo by the swimming pool
Cinco time: The brunette beauty wore a skimpy yellow bikini that made the most of her assets as she worked on her suntan
Comida: Joe Biden celebrated Cinco de Mayo by stepping out for a quesadilla and tacos
Haute by the pool: The actress sipped on a Corona
Cinco de Mayo is now commonly observed with mariachi music, margaritas and Mexican food
Thousands of people celebrate Cinco de Mayo with tasty food, exciting parades and flamboyant costumes
Often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla between the victorious ragtag army of largely Mexican Indian soldiers against the French forces of Napoleon III. A child dressed as a French soldier marches during a re-enactment of The Battle of Puebla
A woman dressed as a Zacapoaztla soldier marches during the re-enactment of The Battle of Puebla between the Zacapoaztlas and French army as part of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico City
In Mexico City, actors put on a reenactment of The Battle of Puebla. People dressed up in Zacapoaxtla indigenous regalia clashed with those playing the part of French soldiers
Thousands paraded through the streets in Mexico City in celebration of Cinco de Mayo
Mexicans wearing period costumes perform during a re-enactment of the battle of Puebla
Mexicans wearing period costumes perform during a re-enactment of the battle of Puebla
A man dressed as a revolutionary Zacapoaztla indigenous soldier marches during the re-enactment of The Battle of Puebla as another man wears a period costume and holds a chicken's foot in his mouth
Women wear traditional Mexican headdresses during Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Every year in Mexico City people put on a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla
Young dancers in red dresses represent the Jalisco region of Mexico during Cinco de Mayo celebrations
A young girl dances during the celebrations wearing a red dress that represents the Jalisco region of Mexico, where the Battle of Puebla took place
A Mexican dancer plays drums next to a statue of Spanish King Carlos III
A man dressed as a revolutionary Zacapoaxtla indigenous soldier enjoys a beer as he marches during a celebratory parade in Mexico City
A family wearing sombreros pose for a souvenir picture as they are celebrating Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with Mexican food and drinks
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