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Cinco de Mayo History

Today is Cinco de Mayo, that wonderful time of year in between St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Day when we all pretend we know Spanish, knock back a few tequilas, and get wasted.

But why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Here are 5 things about Cinco de Mayo history that you probably didn't know...

1. Cinco de Mayo Celebrates Mexico's Victory over France

Mexico was indebted to several countries in Europe. In 1861, the country defaulted on those loans. France, however, wanted them to pay and, as their army hadn't been beaten in over 50 years, they also decided to take over their country too. So there. On May 5th, 1862, Mexican citizens armed only with pitchforks and crude weapons managed to win the Battle of Puebla. Of course, a year later the French took over anyway, but the holiday still commemorates this valiant effort.

2. Cinco de Mayo Is NOT the Official Mexican Independence Day

Nope. That official holiday is celebrated on September 16th. It commemorates Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest from the town of Dolores who declared war on the Spaniards way back in 1810. This date is a federal holiday and Mexican citizens celebrate via parades and fiestas. Cinco de Mayo is a totally different holiday.

3. Cinco de Mayo is Celebrated More in the U.S. Than It Is in Mexico

Cinco de Mayo isn't even a federal holiday in Mexico.  In Mexico, it is really only celebrated in the region of Puebla (see #1).  The holiday didn't catch on in the States until around the 1950s when the Good Neighbor policy was enacted.  This policy was a government attempt to befriend our neighboring countries.

4. Cinco de Mayo Is Really about Beer

Well, at least in Malta.  Malta is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea.  They know of Cinco de Mayo for one reason and one reason only - Corona Extra!  The beer started being shipped to the U.S. 1979.  They saw a unique marketing opportunity in Cinco de Mayo.  Boy, were they right.  Corona can now be found in more than 150 countries.  It is also the 5th best-selling beer on the planet.

5. In Arizona, They Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Chihuahua Racing

I know, I know. It makes you want some Taco Bell, doesn't it?  Why do they do this?  Who knows?  But in Chandler, Arizona they remember the battle with chihuahua racing.  Yo quiero Taco Bell!

So there you have it, your unofficial Cinco de Mayo history lesson.  Now, I don't know about you, but I'm going to go grab some Taco Bell and a Corona.

(Thanks to AskMen.com for the reference material)

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Technorati Tags: Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day, Mexico, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Taco Bell

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