Holiday Definitions – Cinco de Mayo
March 20, 2009 by Katelyn Thomas
Filed under Home & Living
You asked your friend who has a Hispanic background if he was celebrating Cinco de Mayo and he almost seemed offended. Don’t all Spanish speaking people like this holiday?
Photo by Sarah Dawn Nichols
Actually, Cinco de Mayo is not a holiday for everyone with Hispanic ancestors. It is a Mexican holiday based on the triumphant resolution to a bloody battle with the French invaders. Americans, who played a part in the fight by providing guns and ammo, also have a stake in the holiday. In fact, according to Viva! Cinco de Mayo, the USA may actually owe its freedom to the Mexican troops that fought so bravely to defend their country from Napoleon III’s army.
When people celebrate this holiday, they are doing more than having a big party. They are celebrating the fact that they still have their freedom and they are celebrating their extraordinary victory over the French invaders. It isn’t every day that a group of soldiers is outnumbered two to one and still manages to be victorious!
I’ve noticed that people living in the US seem to be more excited about Cinco de Mayo than most people in Mexico. We love holidays in this country, don’t we?
