19. Cinco de Mayo: Parades, food, and fun

Cinco de Mayo is a time for music, dancing, and gathering with family and friends. CREDIT: PEXELS

Cinco de Mayo: Parades, food, and fun

Now a celebration of culture and heritage, this Mexican holiday with roots in 1800s military history is still going strong

PAULA HENRY-DURU

It is a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s independence. Rather, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862.

Although the Battle of Puebla was won nearly 200 years ago, May 5 still holds significance for many. Today it is seen as both a commemoration of the victorious battle and as a celebration of Mexican heritage.

According to History.com, Mexico was financially struggling in 1861 and was unable to repay the debts that they owed to Spain, France, and England. These countries invaded Mexico, demanding repayment. Spain and England were eventually able to come to an agreement and their troops retreated. However, the French advanced in an attempt to take over Mexico. On May 5, 1862, in the city of Puebla, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza led a small army of 2,000 soldiers against French forces three times their number, and the Mexican army won. This victory was a huge morale boost to Mexicans.

However, May 5 today is not recognized as a federal holiday in Mexico and celebrations are hardly observed anywhere in the country except in the city

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of Puebla. This is because many Mexicans see their country’s Independence Day, September 16, as a more significant holiday, states History.com.

There, the people celebrate with re-enactments of the battle, speeches, and parades.

Bigger celebrations happen in the United States, where Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as an appreciation of Mexican and Latino culture and heritage. In areas of America with large Mexican-American populations, parades, food, and mariachi music are the highlights of the day. One example is ‘fiesta broadway,’ an annual street festival held in Los Angeles with thousands in attendance, according to ThoughtCo.com.

In parts of Washington DC, Arizona and Colorado, Cinco de Mayo celebrations involve Chihuahua races. The races are held for entertainment, but the specific use of Chihuahuas is most likely because these dogs originate from Mexico and are named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Although festivities mainly take place in the United States and Mexico, you can still find ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Canada. For example, you could choose to celebrate by trying out Mexican food from some of these restaurants: • La Reina - Downtown Guelph • Tres Chiles Express Inc.-

Kitchener • Holy Guacamole - Kitchener • Guac Mexi Grill - Fergus • Ole Gourmet - Stoney Creek

Alternatively, you could prepare specific cultural foods like mole poblano, (a sauce and a popular dish in Puebla), chalupas, (fried corn dough with a tasty filling), and cemitas (a type of sandwich).

Mark your calendar for May 5 and prepare to celebrate Mexican culture with friends and family through music, dancing, and delicious food!

One of the ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is to enjoy delicious traditional cultural foods like mole poblano, chalupas, or cemitas. CREDIT: PEXELS