El Cinco De Mayo

Describes the role of the battle that took place in Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862 in Mexican history, and explains how its anniversary is celebrated in Mexico and the United States and the customs and symbols associated with the holiday.

It's Cinco de Mayo! Everyone is celebrating the holiday in their own way. A very simple history of the holiday is interspersed with the story of a young boy celebrating Cinco de Mayo with his family.

Introduces the holiday Cinco de Mayo and describes how it is celebrated in Mexico and in the United States.

“David Hayes-Bautista’s fascinating study finds new sources that illuminate the California roots of Cinco de Mayo celebrations. But more than just uncovering the holiday’s true origins, El Cinco de Mayo offers a striking interpretation of the making of a Mexican-American culture in Civil War-Era North America.”—Stephen Aron, author of American Confluence: The Missouri Frontier from Borderland to Border State. “In this well-written and thoroughly-researched study, Hayes-Bautista reminds us that Cinco de Mayo is not really a Mexican holiday, but rather a celebration created in California during the American Civil War by native-born Latinos and immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. Hayes-Bautista has reconstructed the rich social and political world of these California Latinos in painstaking detail, and his analysis of their widespread political engagement reveals an activism hitherto not fully recognized. This is an original and revealing book that changes the way we think about nineteenth century California.”—Richard Griswold del Castillo, author of The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: A Legacy of Conflict.

Describes the history, customs, and practices of this holiday commemorating the victory of the Mexican army over the French on May 5, 1862.

*Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading "We are so superior to the Mexicans in race, in organization, in discipline, in morality and in elevation of feeling, that I beg your Excellency to be so good as to inform the emperor that I am already master of Mexico." - French General Charles de Lorencez before the Battle of Puebla There are two great misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo in the United States, despite the fact it has become one of the country's most beloved days. The first misconception is that the date marks the Independence of Mexico, and the second is that the celebration was imported in relatively recent times by Mexican immigrants. In fact, May 5 does not mark Mexico's independence (which is celebrated on September 16), but the day of the most important battle in the history of the country, fought against the French. Furthermore, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo did not originate in Mexico but in America in the 1860s, shortly after the Battle of Puebla. Indeed, Mexico was still occupied by the French at the time, and Cinco de Mayo is actually as American as apple pie. The Battle of Puebla took place 100 miles east of Mexico City in May 1862, pitting a poorly-fed, ill-equipped and inexperienced Mexican army, largely formed by peasants who were simply given a rifle or a saber, against one of Europe's greatest powers. Nonetheless, the results would demonstrate not only Mexico's integrity but also the crumbling of colonial European power in the Americas. The triumph of a modest Mexican general who was born in Texas was a surprise not only for Mexicans, but even more so for French Emperor Napoleon III and his army, considered to be "the first soldiers of the world." It also resonated in the European press that expected to see a re-conquest of Mexico without great difficulties. Things would forever be different in the Americas. 150 years later, Cinco de Mayo is firmly established as a party day for millions of people, most notably in America. The streets fill with dances, colorful parades, mariachi music, and lots of Mexican food, as Americans consume 81 million pounds of avocados, millions of bags of tortilla chips, and $735 million worth of beer, not to mention the countless margaritas made with 127 million liters of tequila, a drink that everyone properly associates with Mexico. The celebration is not limited to the Hispanic community, either, as people of all origins commemorate the day to recognize Mexico's contribution to North American history or to have fun and drink more tequila than ever. Even America's federal government has joined the festivities; since the 1980s, the White House has celebrated Cinco de Mayo with mariachi music and Mexican dances, making clear the connection between the Mexican victory and America's own Civil War. Cinco de Mayo: The History of the Battle of Puebla and the Famous Mexican Holiday looks at the important battle, its ramifications, and the celebration of the event. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Cinco de Mayo like never before.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! This annual fiesta began after a historical Mexican military victory, and now it is celebrated in many parts of the United States. Learn about food, music, and more through full-color photographs, diagrams, and other nonfiction text features. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions help readers delve more deeply into the content.

Despite what many people believe, Cinco de Mayo isn't the day Mexico celebrates its independence. The holiday, celebrated on May 5th each year, actually commemorates the date Mexican troops defeated the French more than 150 years ago. In this book, readers will find information about the history of Cinco de Mayo, including where and how it's celebrated around the world. Interestingly, it's a much bigger deal in the United States than in other countries, even Mexico. Colorful images bring the celebration to splendid focus on each page, drawing readers into the fascinating history of this Mexican holiday.