Cinco de Mayo

May 5, 2023

Marisa Shoop,

Headers Small 2023

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Despite being a relatively minor battle in the grand scheme of the Franco-Mexican War, the victory was seen as a significant morale boost for the Mexican people and symbolized their resistance against European imperialism.

Interestingly, Cinco de Mayo is not a major holiday in Mexico itself, where Independence Day (September 16) is the most important national holiday. However, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widely celebrated cultural holiday, particularly among Mexican-American communities.

If you’re looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, here are some ideas:

Have a Mexican-themed family meal. Gather the family together and cook up a delicious Mexican feast, complete with tacos, guacamole, salsa, and chips. Don’t forget to add some festive decorations to the table, like papel picado banners and sombreros.

Make piñatas. Piñatas are a fun and traditional Mexican party game. You can make your own piñatas at home using balloons, paper mache, and colorful tissue paper. Fill the piñatas with candy or small toys and take turns trying to break them open.

Learn Mexican folk dances. Mexican folk dances, like the Jarabe Tapatío (also known as the Mexican Hat Dance), are a fun way to get the whole family moving. Look up instructional videos online and try learning some basic steps together.

Create Mexican crafts. Mexican crafts like papel picado, flower crowns, and maracas are easy and fun to make at home. Set up a crafting station and let everyone get creative.

Watch a Mexican-themed movie. There are plenty of family-friendly movies that celebrate Mexican culture, like “Coco,” “The Book of Life,” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.” Gather the family together for a movie night and enjoy some popcorn and snacks.

Explore Mexican History.Use Cinco de Mayo as an opportunity to teach your kids about Mexican history and culture. You can visit a local museum, watch documentaries, or read books together to learn more about this vibrant and diverse country.