Cinco de Mayo literally means “the Fifth of May” in Spanish, and is a relatively minor regional holiday celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico.
The History of Cinco de Mayo
On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces under the command of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín defeated French invaders at the Battle of Puebla. The victory was remarkable, because the French army, which hadn’t been defeated in nearly 50 years, was better equipped than Seguín’s army, and outnumbered the defending Mexicans two to one.
Despite the historical importance of this event, Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico. Ironically, though, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has become a day for general celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, in much the same way St. Patrick’s Day has become a day to celebrate Irish culture.
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, an important day in Mexico, which actually falls on September 16.
Here are some spicy dishes to help you celebrate:
Mexican Brownies
Dessert Empanadas
Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.
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