5 surprising facts about Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, which simply means May 5 in Spanish, is celebrated in hundreds of North American cities to commemorate Mexican culture. In honor of this important holiday, here are five facts about Cinco de Mayo that you might not be familiar with.

1. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (this holiday occurs on September 16). In fact, May 5 marks the day that Mexico defeated France in the Franco-Mexican war in 1862.

2. Cinco de Mayo is not a statutory federal holiday in Mexico. However, most children do get the day off school. Official celebrations include military parades and ceremonies at Campo Marte, a base for presidential guards in Mexico City.

3. Cinco de Mayo is most important in the Mexican state of Puebla, where the final battle in the Franco-Mexican War took place. Mexicans in this region mark the date with special meals, parades and re-enactments of the battle between the Mexicans and the French. In honor of the holiday, the city of Puebla hosts the Festival Internacional de Puebla, which brings together local and international artists.

4. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo started to enter mainstream culture in the 1960s. At this time, civil rights activists began to encourage Mexican Americans to use the day to celebrate their heritage. Since then, hundreds of American cities have begun hosting Cinco de Mayo parades.

5. The world’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration is in Los Angeles, California. Festivities include a large street fair and many smaller parades and festivals in various neighborhoods.

Remember, Cinco de Mayo is more than just a day for partying: it’s an important celebration of Mexican history and a great opportunity for honoring Mexican contributions to American culture.