Cinco de Mayo: a Celebration of Diversity and Commerce
By Ona Zachary
13:37, May 5th 2008
39 votes
Vote this story
Cinco de Mayo: a Celebration of Diversity and Commerce

Even though many have no idea what Cinco de Mayo is all about, they still enjoy drinking a margarita and eating traditional Mexican food while staring at beautiful girls dancing in colorful dresses.

Many people in the U.S. think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16 and represents the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo is mainly a regional and not obligatory federal holiday in Mexico, commemorating a victory of the Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces in the Battle of Puebla, a small Mexican city that many Latino people have never heard of. On May 5, 1862, a badly trained and poorly armed Mexican army defeated the French army, which was, at the time, one of the most powerful in the world.

Even though the war was eventually won by France, defeating such a good army in that first battle was important for Mexicans, who chose that day to celebrate their identity and cultural legacy.

"This celebration is so important to me because it brings me back to my world of Zacatecas and the Mexican culture that I miss so much," Enrique Gonzalez Sr., who was dressed like a Mexican cowboy, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture, like Oktoberfest is for Germans, St.Patrick’s Day for the Irish and the Chinese New Year for Chinese people.

The holiday was sponsored by Corona beer, but involved a lot of tequila as well.

Obviously, it’s mostly a commercial holiday, like many holidays are. People use the occasion as an excuse to celebrate and drink, while big companies use it to sell their products.

But still, the most important thing is that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of diversity, which crosses borders and helps people of different nations and cultures get together.

 



© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
dotclear

Other News in

Missing VIP Registered Traveler Laptop Found

Missing VIP Registered Traveler Laptop Found

The missing laptop belonging to Verified Identity Pass, a company operating a Registered Traveler program, was found in the same office where it was believed to have been stolen from. However, the...

Bella and Edward’s Story Is Heading Towards The End

Bella and Edward’s Story Is Heading Towards The End

Stephenie Meyer's fourth book “Breaking Dawn” was eagerly expected by fans. It was released at a Twilight Masquerade Ball held by Empire Books and News in Huntington on Friday night. The store had...

Morgan Freeman: Broken Arm, Broken Elbow, Broken Marriage

Morgan Freeman: Broken Arm, Broken Elbow, Broken Marriage

Famous Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman is reportedly divorcing his wife. The news was confirmed by Mr Freeman’s business partner and lawyer, Bill Luckett, who told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal...

Pineapple Express Might Become this Summer's Comedy

Pineapple Express Might Become this Summer's Comedy

One thing you can say about the 'Pineapple Express' is that the movie is hilarious. The Rogen-Goldberg-Apatow team doesn't let viewers down and does what everybody has come to expect of it: takes a...

FDA Makes This Year’s Flu Vaccines Public

FDA Makes This Year’s Flu Vaccines Public

As autumn is approaching, people should be ready to welcome the flu season. And the best way to do that is to get vaccinated against influenza, which makes more than 36,000 victims in the US and...

dotclear
Latest videos in Specials
Shelters Filling Up As...
Reel frames for real frames
Olympics '08: One-of-a-Kind...
China Blocks Journalists...
ShowBiz Minute: Paparazzi,...

dotclear
Specials You are here: Specials
» Specials   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in Specials
There Is Still Lots To Be Done To Meet Ends In The Fight With AIDSThere Is Still Lots To Be Done To Meet Ends In The Fight With AIDS

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Nick Jonas RelationshipMiley Cyrus Opens Up About Nick Jonas Relationship

» read full story
dotclear