What does Cinco De Mayo Mean to YOU??

[Mikal]

Here is an article in this months "Our Community Magazine

Cinco De Mayo
The Importance Cinco de Mayo
This month we celebrate a special federal holiday in Mexico. Although it is not an American holiday, it is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. It is a common misconception in the United States that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, which is incorrect. Mexico’s Independence Day is actually September 16, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexico forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over the French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 15, 1862. This Mexican victory at Puebla only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City. One year later the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico. The French were eventually defeated and expelled in 1967; Maximilian was executed by President Benito Juarez, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
Observance History
The modern American focus on Cinco de Mayo first started in California in the 1860q in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. The holiday has been celebrated in California continuously since 1963.
Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. There is some limited recognition of the holiday in other parts of the country. For the most part the celebrations combine food, music, and dancing. In the United States, Cinco de May has taken on significance beyond that in Mexico. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican produces and services, with an emphasis on beverages, foods, and music.
The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as the date to celebrate the culture and experience of Americans of Mexican ancestry, similar to St. Patrick’s Day and the Chinese New Year and sued to celebrate those of Irish and Chinese ancestry. The holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, especially in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican ancestry. Although it is not an official American holiday, many cities with large populations of Mexican ancestry honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride. It is also represents the culture that blends both Mexican and American roots.
Celebrations
Celebrations tend to draw both from traditions Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as Cesar Chavez. In cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Antonio, Phoenix, Sacramento, Denver, Albuquerque, El Paso, and elsewhere throughout the Southwest, Cinco de Mayo is best characterized as a day of celebration to honor a culture that fuses Mexican heritage and American life experience. To celebrate, may display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate students about its historical significance.
Some cities hold special events and celebrations highlighting Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folkloric and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza de Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street.
Our own City of Delano will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with the following activities/events: Cinco de Mayo Barbeque held on Thursday May 1st, 2008 at 5:30pm, Cinco de Mayo Carnival May 1st- May 4th, 2008 located at Memorial Park, Cinco de Mayo Parade, and the Cinco de Mayo Pageant. Perhaps some of you will join our community and attend some of these festive events with family and friends! Don’t forget to come and check out Malo Performing live on Friday, May 2,nd .
By: Marilynn T. Sanchez, MPA (Political Science Professor, Bakersfield College)