Originating in the 1860′s with Mexican-American communities in the American West, Southwest and Northwest, the American Cinco de Mayo began as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War. Today, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo is observed annually on May 5 as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for “fifth of May”.
The United States Congress issued a Concurrent Resolution on June 7, 2005, calling on the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
According to José Alamillo, professor of ethnic studies at Washington State University in Pullman, a 2006 study found there are more than 150 official Cinco de Mayo events across the country.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States have taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. They include displaying of banners and events highlighting Mexican culture, music and regional dancing, as well as school districts holding special events to educate students about its historical significance. In the U.S., commercial interests have capitalized on the celebration advertising Mexican products and services with an emphasis on beverages, food and music.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Share your Mexican heritage and use #CincodeMayo to post on social media.
HISTORY
Celebrated in Mexico as a commemoration of the Mexican army’s 1861 victory France during the Franco-Mexican War. The victory occurred at the Battle of Puebla between 6,000 French troops and small, under-supplied Mexican force of 2,000 men.
The victory was not the battle that won the war, but it held great symbolism for the Mexico during the war, but is minor holiday there and is not considered a federal holiday.
CINCO DE MAYO
Profile America — Thursday, May 5th. In Spanish, today’s date is Cinco de Mayo, and celebrations will be held in many cities across the U.S., as well as Mexico. These events mark the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when outnumbered Mexican troops defeated the invading French forces of Napoleon III. Over the years, the celebration has evolved from one of military victory to a colorful and vibrant event, celebrating Mexican culture. This is also National Salsa Month, appropriate in an evolving United States where sales of salsa, tortillas and tortilla chips outsell ketchup, hamburger buns and potato chips. There are some 34 million people of Mexican descent in the U.S., or about 11 percent of the total population. Some 25 million Hispanics live in either California or Texas. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov.
Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cinco-de-mayo
National Salsa Month/accessed 2/16/2016: http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-salsa-month-may/
Foods/accessed 2/16/2016: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/10/17/changing-face-america-is-influencing-our-taste-buds-one-tortilla-chip-at-time/
Mexican population in U.S.: http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_3YR_DP05&prodType=table
California and Texas: http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk
Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotion of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Audio” in the “Library” pull-down menu).
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
RELATED LINKS
http://www.census.gov
