By Barbara Arnstein
This weekend and on Monday, millions of Americans and people around the world will be celebrating a victory over people who tried to take away the freedom of a country’s citizens and install an emperor to rule over them. The battle they celebrate took place on May 5th, 1862 in the Mexican State of Puebla, and the annual celebration is known as Cinco de Mayo (“Fifth of May” in Spanish, pronounced “Seen-koh deh My-oh”). The victory was an amazing achievement because underequipped and greatly outnumbered Mexican soldiers managed to defeat French troops who were then considered the best in the world. A few years later, France declared Archduke Maximilian to be the emperor of Mexico, but ultimately he was executed. In his book, “The Political Evolution of the Mexican People”, Justo Sierra suggested that if Mexico hadn’t defeated the French on May 5th, France might’ve helped the Confederate States of America to win the American Civil War.
brightly-colored fl oats, and a reenactment including thousands
of locals. The celebrations all over the U.S., feature
parades, performances, festivals, pinatas, pub crawls, fi reworks,
feasting and much more.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Puebla, with speeches, mariachi music, dancing, parades featuring brightly-colored floats, and a reenactment including thousands of locals. The celebrations all over the U.S., feature parades, performances, festivals, pinatas, pub crawls, fireworks, feasting and much more. In the mid-twentieth century, Mexican immigrants gradually began changing the focus of the day to their heritage in general. In 2005 it was officially recognized by the United States Congress. People of Mexican descent mostly celebrate it by wearing traditional clothing, performing traditional dances and eating traditional foods while, as they do on St. Patrick’s Day, Americans from all backgrounds join in the fun.
The most important thing to know about the original Cinco de Mayo celebrating is that it commemorates the courage of people who stood up against tyranny. In the 2013 movie, “Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla” (“Battle” in Spanish), a leader inspires soldiers to fight with the stirring words, “They want to take your homeland away. I am sick of those Mexicans who, because of fear, think victory is impossible. We have to dispel that defeatism that humiliates us as a nation. You have the opportunity of bringing Mexico together”. Another important thing to know is that Mole Poblano, a dish often eaten on May 5th, deliciously includes chocolate and chilis served over chicken. The long list of ingredients also includes tomatoes, seeds, raisins, almonds and peanuts.
events, and parties, many of which are family-friendly. Fiesta Broadway,
known as one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the world, takes
place in downto
Three great places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo locally and enjoy Mexican foods, drinks and atmosphere all the time, include the three locations of the Fiesta Bamba Mexican restaurant chain. The one in Springville is at 60 South Cascade Drive and its number is (716) 592-2033; Hamburg’s is at 6000 South Park Avenue and its number is (716) 202-4078, and Arcade’s is at 563 West Main Street, and its number is (585) 408-0046. All three will be featuring special things for Cinco de Mayo. In Hamburg, street tacos and special margaritas will be on the menu and, after 4pm, a mechanical bull will be available for riding.
Fun Facts: The largest annual party in the U.S. is held in Los Angeles, on the closest Sunday to the fifth of May. Each year, over 81 million avocados are used for Cinco de Mayo, usually for guacamole.