Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla.
Americans of several ethnic backgrounds are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a day which serves as a reminder of Mexico's triumph over the French. On Monday, May 5, Americans were soaked in spirit of Cinco de Mayo celebrations despite anxiety and fear over immigration raids and threats from the Donald Trump administration. Trump has unleased a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants. The celebrations of Cinco de Mayo often involve parades, music, traditional clothing and festive floats.
Cinco de Mayo — May 5 in English — isn't just about tacos and tequila, the holiday celebrates Mexican American heritage, honoring Mexican resilience and bravery in the face of strife, experts say.
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In the United States, the date is seen as a celebration of Mexican American culture, which stretches back to the 1800s in California. Mario García, a Chicanx historian from the University of California at Santa Barbara, told USA Today that Cinco De Mayo celebrations do occur in Mexico most notably in the City of Puebla; those events don't compare to Día de la Independencia celebrations, García said. Meanwhile, in the U.S, it's become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture.
It began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. "It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," García said. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."
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Companies, especially beer companies and restaurants, began commercializing the holiday in the 1980s, offering customers "Cinco de Mayo" specials and cocktails. Over the years, it's also become a big holiday in the United States where people in the country enjoy celebrating by mixing up margaritas, eating Mexican food and participating in community events.
Cinco De Mayo is now celebrated more widely in America than in Mexico. "Our most important celebration is Sept. 16 - that is our Independence Day," said Silvia Lugo Garcia, who has lived in Mexico her whole life. "The fifth of May is not the biggest celebration in Mexico - for us it only a (routine) celebration."
She added that Cinco de Mayo "is not a public holiday" for a lot of Mexico. She explained the celebrations mainly take place in Puebla, because of the historic battle which occurred there.
As the holiday has become more commercialized in the U.S., some have taken issue with the Americanization of the holiday.
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In south Philadelphia, the Carnaval de Puebla parade, which has been celebrated for decades, was also canceled amid fears of aggressive immigration enforcement.
In Flint, Michigan, local authorities canceled Saturday's celebrations because of weather concerns. The annual celebration—which was set to feature live music, authentic Mexican food, a mariachi band, family-friendly activities and vendors—was scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. on May 3 in Brush Park, hosted by the Latinx Technology and Community Center.
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What is Cinco de Mayo?
According to a report in Seattle Times, Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla. The triumph over the better-equipped and much larger French troops was an enormous emotional boost for Mexican soldiers led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza.In the United States, the date is seen as a celebration of Mexican American culture, which stretches back to the 1800s in California. Mario García, a Chicanx historian from the University of California at Santa Barbara, told USA Today that Cinco De Mayo celebrations do occur in Mexico most notably in the City of Puebla; those events don't compare to Día de la Independencia celebrations, García said. Meanwhile, in the U.S, it's become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture.
It began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. "It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," García said. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."
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Companies, especially beer companies and restaurants, began commercializing the holiday in the 1980s, offering customers "Cinco de Mayo" specials and cocktails. Over the years, it's also become a big holiday in the United States where people in the country enjoy celebrating by mixing up margaritas, eating Mexican food and participating in community events.
Cinco De Mayo is now celebrated more widely in America than in Mexico. "Our most important celebration is Sept. 16 - that is our Independence Day," said Silvia Lugo Garcia, who has lived in Mexico her whole life. "The fifth of May is not the biggest celebration in Mexico - for us it only a (routine) celebration."
She added that Cinco de Mayo "is not a public holiday" for a lot of Mexico. She explained the celebrations mainly take place in Puebla, because of the historic battle which occurred there.
As the holiday has become more commercialized in the U.S., some have taken issue with the Americanization of the holiday.
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US cities cancel celebrations
According to NewsWeek, several major cities have canceled Cinco de Mayo celebrations because of increasing fears over President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration. Celebrations were cancelled in Chicago and south Philadelphia as Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramps up deportation efforts to carry out stricter immigration policies nationwide. In Chicago, the annual Cinco de Mayo parade, which historically attracts thousands of revelers to the city's vibrant Pilsen neighborhood, was officially called off after city officials expressed concerns about the safety of participants.ALSO READ: Warren Buffett's lifestyle at 94 will surprise you: Five cans of coke, Mcdonald's meal and no gym
In south Philadelphia, the Carnaval de Puebla parade, which has been celebrated for decades, was also canceled amid fears of aggressive immigration enforcement.
In Flint, Michigan, local authorities canceled Saturday's celebrations because of weather concerns. The annual celebration—which was set to feature live music, authentic Mexican food, a mariachi band, family-friendly activities and vendors—was scheduled from noon to 8 p.m. on May 3 in Brush Park, hosted by the Latinx Technology and Community Center.
