Cinco de Mayo!

Today is Cinco de Mayo, the holiday that celebrates Mexico’s victory in the Battle of Puebla–a turning point in the war for Mexican Independence. Ironically, the holiday is celebrated more in the United States than in most parts of Mexico. (The town of Puebla does have an annual pagent.)

But, maybe it’s not so odd. According to the US Census Bureau, there are more than 28 million people of Mexican descent in the US, about nine percent of the total population. About 11 million of these residents live in California. Not surprisingly, that state hosts some of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations, such as the one in San Diego pictured above.

For more about Cinco de Mayo, see:

• Mexican Flag Dip
• Crab and Avocado Taco Bites
• Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
• Four Margarita Recipes

^{(photo © Newscom)}