The United States is preparing to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. On Sunday, there will be music, all-day happy hour and taco deals at locations across the country, in a celebration whose origins have been widely misunderstood and is rarely celebrated south of the border.
In the United States, this date is considered by many as a celebration of Mexican-American culture and dates back to the 19th century in California. Typical festivities include parades, street food, neighborhood parties, mariachi competitions and folk dances, with lithe dancers with bright ribbons in their braids and dazzling ruffled dresses.
For Americans with or without Mexican ancestors, the date has become an excuse to drink a lot of tequila with salt and lemon and gobble down tortilla chips dipped in cheddar cheese, which is little known among Mexicans.
The focus on drink and food has sparked criticism of the holiday, especially as brewers and other merchants have taken advantage of its festive nature and offensive stereotypes, such as huge fake mustaches and giant hats.
What is celebrated on May 5?
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of the victory of the Mexican army over the invading French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The triumph over a better equipped and larger French army was an enormous emotional boost for the soldiers led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.
In the city of Puebla, in central Mexico, historical reenactments and parades are held to commemorate the inspiring victory, during which participants wear historical uniforms of the armies of France and Mexico.
What is not May 5?
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day, which is the country’s most important civic holiday.
Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain on the anniversary of the call to arms against the European country, issued on September 16, 1810 by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest from Dolores, Mexico.
The president of Mexico reenacts the Cry of Independence, usually around 11 p.m. on September 15 from the balcony of the National Palace, where he rings the same bell that Hidalgo rang.
The commemoration usually ends with three shouts of “Viva México!” on a colorful swirl formed by tens of thousands of people gathered in Zócalo, the main square in the center of the Mexican capital.
Dancers from Jalisco, Mexico, perform during Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Portland, Oregon.
(Don Ryan/AP)
This year’s celebrations
This year, May 5 falls on a Sunday, an ideal day for many people to relax and enjoy the holiday. Celebrations are planned across the country, especially in places with large Mexican-American populations.
Among the festivities that will take place in California, San José will host a parade and festival where there will be live music, dancers and modified lowrider cars, while in San Francisco there will be a festival in District Six.
At an outdoor market in El Paso, Texas, there will be a car show, vendors and live music featuring performances by Krystall Poppin, Ka$h Go Crazy and 2 Sexy Ashley.
In New Orleans, celebrations will be held Saturday and Sunday at Fat City Park, with two stages and eight bands, as well as a taco-eating contest.
Bars and restaurants across the country promote their Mexican food and special events, such as all-day happy hours. For those looking for something different, in New York there is even a Mexican restaurant on a yacht sailing down the Hudson River.
