by Ginger Kazay

Created on: May 02, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

The fifth of May - Cinco de Mayo in Spanish - is a national holiday in Mexico.

It is actually celebrated in Mexican-American communities in the U.S. on a much larger scale than takes place in Mexico.

It commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This victory was an important step for Mexico in her fight for independence.

It is often confused with the Mexican Independence Day, which occurred on September 16, 1810, about 50 years earlier. Yes, that is right, it took Mexico MORE than 50 years from the time Mexico declared independence until they won that battle; but, the Battle for the Puebla was the major turning point in their struggle. It marked a turning point in Mexican national pride. A small, poorly armed group of about 4,500 men were able to stop the French invasion of a well-equipped French army that had about 6,500 or even 8,000 soldiers. The victory made the Mexican people very happy, and helped create a feeling of national unity and that day and the feeling is celebrated again and again each year.

Cinco de Mayo is one of more than 365 festivals celebrated by people of Mexican descent.

The holiday was popularized in the U.S. in part by Chicano activists in the 1960s and 1970s, who identified with the Mexican Indian and mestizo (people of Mexican Indian and European descent) soldiers' triumph over European conquest attempts.

Cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston host annual Cinco de Mayo festivities that draw hundreds of thousands of celebrants.

One of the more interesting celebrations is the Cinco de Mayo festival in Chandler, Arizona, which is known for its Chihuahuas! There is the Chihuahua parade, Chihuahua races, and Chihuahua pageants. At the end, a King and Queen of the Chihuahuas are crowned.

Cinco de Mayo has become a fun family tradition among many American communities where Hispanic Americans can share some of their traditions with the rest of us and we can all learn more about one another.

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