Today is May 5th – el cinco de mayo. This is a regional Mexican holiday that becomes more and more popular in the United States every year. In fact, I suspect that Americans’ observation of the holiday surpasses that of people actually living in Mexico. Here are a few facts about the holiday, of which many gringos are unaware.
1. Cinco de Mayo means “Fifth of May” in spanish. If you ask someone when Cinco de Mayo is, chances are pretty good that you will be laughed at.
2. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. That day is September 16. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico over the French at the battle of Puebla in the 1860s.
3. Despite Taco-Bell’s attempts to convince you otherwise, hard-shell tacos, burritos, nachos, and “Mexican Pizza” are not authentic Mexican food. The Mexican tourism industry is smart though, and they make these things available in tourist areas for Americans who wonder where all the “real” Mexican food is.
Ahora ustedes saben algo de la fiesta del Cinco de Mayo. ¡Salud!