Cinko de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (from Spanish “Fifth of May”) is a Mexican and American holiday that celebrates the military victory of Mexica in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. Oh, this man! Imperialistic ambitions got him in trouble.

On May 5, 1862, the French troops were defeated at the Battle of Puebla. Although the fights continued, this victory was perceived as a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination.

The commemorations include parades, speeches, recreations of the battle, and other festive events in the state of Puebla. It's accompanied with the celebration of Mexican folk traditions, like songs, dances, costumes, etc.

It's interesting that the holiday is mostly associated with Mexica, but it's a minor event in this country. Much bigger celebrations happen in the US — there it evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. The largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.

No, and you shouldn't confuse these two holidays, because Mexican Independence Day falls on September 16.

What you should do though, is copy and paste these emojis to talk about Cinco de Mayo. 👏

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