Transcript Hispanic Holidays and Celebrations

Cinco de Mayo
-Spanish for “the 5th of May”
-Celebrated nationwide in the United States
-Celebrated regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla
-In the United States it is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage
-In Puebla it is celebrated as a day of victory for the Mexican army’s victory over
the French at the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862
-Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day
Cinco de Mayo
-In 1861, the French tried to reconquer Mexico when it failed to pay debt it owed to
the French Government
-In a fight, at forts in Puebla, an 8,000 French army was defeated by a 4,000
Mexican Army
-This was the first defeat for the French army (the best in the world at that time)
in over 50 years.
-This battle provided a much needed source of patriotism, unity, and morale for the
Mexican people
-It is suspected that Napoleon had wanted to take over Mexico to back the
Confederate Army during the Civil War
-If he had succeeded? What would our country be like today?
Cinco de Mayo
-On June 7, 2005, a proclamation was issued calling upon the people of the United
States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities
-In the United States Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that
in Mexico, a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture
Sources
 Wikipedia
 Yahoo Images