The fifth of May is Cinco de Mayo in Spanish - It is a national holiday in Mexico, although it is generally celebrated in Mexican-American communities in the U.S. on a much larger scale. It commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The victory was an important step for Mexico in their fight for independence. Today in Mexico, and in Mexican-American communities, May 5 brings celebrations, fiestas, and parades.
Fun Facts About Cinco de Mayo
It is often confused with the Mexican Independence Day, which occurred on September 16, 1810, about 50 years earlier.
Cinco de Mayo is one of more than 365 festivals celebrated by people of Mexican descent.
The holiday was popularized in the U.S. in part by Chicano activists in the 1960s and 1970s, who identified with the Mexican Indian and mestizo (people of Mexican Indian and European descent) soldiers' triumph over European conquest attempts.
Cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston host annual Cinco de Mayo festivities that draw hundreds of thousands of celebrants.
What will you do to celebrate today?
A few books that might interest you are...
Cinco de Mayo Holiday Recommended Reading
Kids Books for Cinco de Mayo
Abuela
by Arthur Dorros
Cinco de Mayo (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
by Mary Dodson Wade, Nanci Reginelli Vargus
Colors of Mexico
by Lynn Ainsworth Olawsky
Festival of the Bones / El Festival de las Calaveras : The Book for the Day of the Dead
by Luis San Vicente
Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English
by Alma Flor Ada
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
by Yuyi Morales
Magda's Tortillas / Las Tortillas De Magda
by Becky Chavarria-Chairez
My Mexico / México mío
by Tony Johnston
Saturday Market
by Patricia Grossman
Secrets in Stone : All About Maya Hieroglyphics
by Laurie Coulter
Read something great!!
(Fun facts from Parents)
No comments:
Post a Comment