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Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5, which commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The victory over the French army was a morale boost for the Mexicans.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is not that important in Mexico. They mainly celebrate it in the state of Puebla. In Mexico, they honor Independence Day on September 16, which is the nation’s most important national holiday. In the United States, though, Cinco de Mayo has become a way to honor Mexican culture and heritage.
Although Cinco de Mayo translates to the Fifth of May, which is when the holiday is celebrated in Puebla, Mexico where it originated; that’s not actually what folks call it there. Instead, the official name of the holiday is El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, which translates to “The Day of the Battle of Puebla” in English
The Mexican Army was largely outnumbered and poorly supplied. In fact, they were known as a rag-tag army and only had outdated guns at their disposal. And yet, as few as 2,000 Mexican soldiers—some of whom hid behind tall cactus plants—defeated 6,000 French soldiers during the battle, which lasted from daybreak to early evening.
A few weeks after the Battle of Puebla, Americans and Latinos in California heard about the valiant efforts of Mexican soldiers through newspaper reports. Residents in the state were so excited, they celebrated with parades of people dressed in Civil War uniforms. And in Northern California, one town partied with drinks, food, and banquets—it was most likely the first Cinco de Mayo fiesta in the United States!
Make some music on May 5 with these DIY maracas. Fill leftover plastic Easter eggs with 1 tsp popcorn kernels; snap closed. Help children hold the egg between two plastic spoons while they wrap washi tape around them to hold the egg in place and make a handle. Continue wrapping until the egg and spoons are completely covered.
Add some spice to your Cinco de Mayo with these strictly sweet, pepper-shaped candies. Here’s how to make them.
Heat the oven to 200 degrees F. Place several unwrapped Tootsie Roll Midgees (you’ll need two for each pepper) on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. When the oven is warm, turn off the heat and place the candies inside to soften (they can be left there as you work). For each pepper, knead together two Midgees, then mold them around the tip of a pretzel stick, as shown. Let them cool.
Melt red candy wafers in a microwave-safe drinking glass according to the package directions. (We used about half a bag each of green and red candy wafers to make 13 peppers.) Using the pretzels as handles, dip the peppers into the melted candy, tap off the excess, and lay them on parchment to set. When they have hardened, break off each pretzel stem so it’s a half-inch long. Melt green candy wafers, then dip the stems into the candy and let the green coating set.
Celebrate Mexican culture by preparing a pitcher of agua fresca. Sold by street vendors throughout Latin America, the ice-cold drink is typically made by combining fresh fruit, water, and sugar. Here’s how to blend your own: Puree 2½ cups of water, 1 pound trimmed strawberries, ¼ cup sugar, and the juice of one lime in a blender until smooth. Chill before serving or pour over ice. Makes 4 cups.
PHOTOGRAPH BY CARL TREMBLAY
RECIPE BY JOY HOWARD
Article sources:
https://www.parents.com/fun/parties/ideas/cinco-de-mayo-treats-and-games/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo
https://www.parents.com/fun/parties/special-occasions/fun-facts-about-cinco-de-mayo/
Cinco de Mayo, a vibrant fiesta that paints the town in hues of joy and celebration! Reflecting on its essence, I reminisce about the youthful exuberance it once symbolized—a time when every moment was an opportunity to revel in the lively spirit of the day. Ah, those were the days!
Nowadays, my Cinco de Mayo is a different kind of festivity, one filled with cherished moments spent with loved ones. Gathered with my daughters, granddaughters, and our dear neighbors, the Flads, we’ve crafted our own tradition—Fun Fridays! Whether we’re navigating the neon-lit alleys of the arcade, exploring the delights of a local fair, or delving into a creative project, the joy remains palpable.
While the years may have brought about changes in my life, they’ve also ushered in a deeper sense of contentment and fulfillment. And as I raise my glass to toast this Cinco de Mayo, I extend my heartfelt wish for each of you to experience the same—or even greater—happiness in your own lives. Here’s to a holiday filled with merriment and a weekend embraced with safety and joy. Cheers to making memories that last a lifetime!
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