by James Lynne

Created on: May 07, 2009   Last Updated: September 08, 2009

The Mexican state of Puebla and Mexico City are the heart of Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico, but it is celebrated all over the country. Parades are held honoring historical military heroes. Schoolchildren practice for months to perform pageants and to perform in parades on this special holiday. Historical recreations of the Battle of Puebla take place in many cities and communities. Mexicans love fiestas, and after all the parades, the pageants, the historical recreations are finished, friends, families and neighbors gather to eat, drink, sing, and dance into the night, culminating in the shout, "Viva! Mexico" as a declaration of Mexican pride and affection.

"Viva Mexico!" More a command than a wish, "Viva Mexico" means, "Live, Mexico!" It is the traditional patriotic shout that commemorates Cinco de Mayo, May 5, celebrations in Mexico. Although not officially a Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo, is celebrated on both sides of the US - Mexico border as a special day of historical significance for both countries.

Most Mexican communities are centered around a town square, a Zocalo. All across Mexico, Cinco de Mayo brings the Zocalos to life with booths selling favorite foods, drinks, and trinkets. The Zocalo becomes a place of excitement and magic. As the day passes, musicians can be found performing in various spots of the Zocalo to the entertainment of the crowd. Traditional Mexican foods are served from booths, the backs of pickup trucks, and bar-b-cue pits. Colorful pinatas adorn the trees and booths along the Zocalos. It is truly a festive event for the community.

Mexican independence is celebrated September 16, commemorating its separation from Spanish rule, in 1821, but it took until 1867, with the help of the United States, to drive the French, Europe's last claim to Mexico, out of Mexican territory. This second, unofficial Independence Day, is what we know as Cinco de Mayo. The Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862, was a decisive victory for Mexican nationals, intent upon freeing themselves from European rule, but it was not until the summer of 1867, with the execution of Maximillian of France outside the city of Queretero, that Mexico officially became free of French claims to the country. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated across Mexico as a second independence day with reverly, patriotic energy, and fiestas .

Cinco de Mayo is important not only to Mexicans. Without the collaboration of forces from the United States, Mexico might never have established independence from European colonization. Mexico's celebration of Cinco de Mayo spills over the border into much of the United States. On the tail end of the American Civil War, the United States government saw to it that Mexicans fighting the French received sufficient ammunitions and troops to finish off Napoleon's forces once and for all. When discussing celebrations of Cinco de May, it is insufficient to discuss only how it is celebrated in Mexico.

Mexico and the United States have a shared history that crosses the Rio Grande River in both directions. All along the Rio Grande, in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, Cinco de Mayo is met with cries of, "Viva! Mexico!" from both Mexicans and U.S. citizens alike. It is part of our joint heritage. U.S. citizens and Mexican citizens, together, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with meals of traditional Mexican cuizine, spicy foods, mole sauces, barbacoa, dancing, singing, y tambien, mucho cerveza! Viva! Mexico!

Learn more about this author, James Lynne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.