Cinco de Mayo: How to make margarita mix
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this delicious homemade margarita mix.
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It’s a popular misconception that Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “fifth of May” in Spanish, is Mexico’s Independence Day or is the Mexican counterpart to the United States’ Fourth of July.
The holiday actually commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, and it is not one of the seven national holidays of Mexico that is a required no-work day.
Who celebrates Cinco de Mayo?
Although there are some Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, particularly in the city of Puebla, the event is small compared to Día de la Independencia, which is celebrated annually on Sept. 16 after the country claimed its independence from Spain in 1810.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican-American culture that began with the rise of the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s, according to USA TODAY.
Why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated in Texas?
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Texas as a way to honor the rich cultural heritage of Mexican-descent communities, particularly Tejanos, who have deep historical roots in the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association. After the Texas Revolution, Tejanos began holding fiestas patrias in the 1820s to reinforce their ties to Mexico and celebrate their unique bicultural identity.
In cities like San Angelo and Houston, these celebrations have a long tradition. In San Angelo, celebrations began with a grand parade in 1910 and continued with large festivals, including sporting events and school concerts. By the late 1920s, the Mexican-American community began organizing events through the Comité Patriótico Mexicano, and in 1946, Estanislado Sedeno became a key figure in San Angelo’s Cinco de Mayo festivities, holding the event for 27 years at Sedeno Plaza.
In Houston, the celebrations started in the 1920s as the Hispanic population grew large enough to warrant a Mexican consulate. Early festivities included historic plays at Teatro Azteca and expanded over the years to include parades and dances. By the 1960s, groups like the Hispanic Club Familias Unidas began sponsoring events such as the Baile Ranchero, celebrating Mexican culture through music and dance. Today, Cinco de Mayo in Houston continues to be a major event, with various civic organizations playing a key role in maintaining and growing the celebrations.
“Cinco de Mayo, in particular, has recently been embraced more generally in the same way as other ethnic celebrations such St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, and Octoberfest have found acceptance in American cultural life,” according to the Texas State Historical Association.
Should you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
When celebrating Cinco de Mayo, it’s important to be culturally respectful. Focus on participating in events that authentically celebrate Mexican culture. Be mindful of avoiding stereotypes or appropriation, and refrain from using slogans like “Cinco de Drinko,” which can trivialize the significance of the day.
When is Mexican Independence Day?
Mexico’s actual Independence Day — Diez y Seis de Septiembre — is celebrated on Sept. 16. It commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s Grito de Dolores (“Cry of Dolores”), delivered in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores near Guanajuato. In his call to arms, Hidalgo urged the people to rise up and end Spanish rule in Mexico.
