Cinco de Mayo History of the Celebration Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the Mexican Victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The celebration occurs in the state of Puebla, Mexico where the Mexican victory happened. The first celebration took place in the mid-20th century among Mexican immigrants. Celebrations are designed to educate the youth about the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican culture. How the Holiday is Celebrated “In the town of Puebla, where the actual battle took place, there is a parade of marchers dressed as Mexican, and French generals with their cannons and rifles. Women wearing colorful skirts and flowery hats also march in the parade to represent women who traveled with the army. This is followed by a reenactment of the battle that took place. There is smoke, shouting, and mock sword battles concluding with a Mexican victory. There are also traditional dances, games, traditional foods, mariachi music, and colorful decorations” (Borade, 2012, para. 3). There is a variety of foods during this celebration such as, “lamb barbacoa that has been smoked underground in banana leaves or carnitas topped with queso fresco, pickled onions and homemade salsa verde wrapped in a warm homemade corn tortilla that has been ever so lightly heated on a comal” (Esposito, 2013, para. 4). People also dress up in clothes that were typical in the 1900s as a part of the celebration. Women wear colorful dresses with patterns and men wear sombreros and a traditional charro suit. Not only can women wear dresses, they can wear Escaramuzas, or traditional blouses and skirts edged with …show more content…
“The defeat of the better-equipped French army made the confrontation the last time that any outside force ever invaded America” (Borade, 2012, para.