By Diana Gudiel-Benitez
Staff Writer
Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! Today, many Hispanics will celebrate, or "turn up." But why? What is Cinco de Mayo anyway? I'm glad you asked. (And if you didn't, then you just hurt my feelings.)
Cinco de Mayo (translated into fifth of May in English) is a celebration held in the United States and Mexico. But what is it celebrating? It's celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. In 1861, France sent an enormous army to raid Mexico, as they wanted to collect on some war debts. The French army was more advanced in training, so the Mexicans had a difficult time. The army rolled through Mexico until they reached their destination (Puebla), where the Mexicans took a courageous, and actually won! However, the victory was short-lived due to French army re-grouping and continuing with their raid. They eventually conquered Mexico City, but the glee of an unlikely victory against odds is remembered every 5th of May.
People often mistake this day as the day that Mexico gained its independence; Mexico actually celebrates its independence on September 16, because it was on that day in 1810 that Father Miguel Hidalgo took to his podium in the village church of the town of Dolores and invited his flock to take up arms and join him in overthrowing Spanish tyranny. Independence Day is a very important holiday in Mexico and not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo.
How do they celebrate this day? There are parades, dancing, and festivals. Traditional food is often served or sold. Mariachi bands fill the town squares, and a lot of beer is served. This day is also known as Mexican St. Patrick's Day. So, if you're celebrating Cinco de Mayo, then have fun and don't go to nuts over it, or else you'll be shot just like that 19-year-old in Detroit.
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