When people think of Cinco de Mayo, the fifth day in May, they think of a Spanish holiday. That is not actually factual. Cinco de Mayo is in fact not a Spanish holiday at all. Besides all of the celebrations and traditions that do occur on Cinco de Mayo, it is a day that marks the victory of one battle against France. This did not end the war, but it was significant.

  “Cinco de Mayo is a commemoration of a battle that the Mexican people won against the French invaders in 1862. It happened in Pueblo, Mexico, which is on the path between Verecruise, Mexico and the capital, the city of Mexico. The French were powerful and on that one day the Mexican people won. And on that one day they did win that battle, but the war was not over. They continued to battle after that. It is only in Pueblo that this day in 1862 is important,” Spanish teacher Tamara Batcha said. 

  Cinco de Mayo was introduced into American culture in the 1980s. Many people in the United States celebrate Cinco de Mayo today by eating Mexican food with family and friends. 

  “[Cinco de Mayo] is traditionally celebrated here with people going out for Mexican food or by getting together with friends and family, you’d be cooking out [or] listening to music,” Spanish teacher Catherine Hansen said. 

  In the United States, traditionally people who celebrate Cinco de Mayo also decorate for Cinco de Mayo. They decorate their homes, workplaces and businesses, and they are not bland either, they include some color and effort. 

  “They eat traditional Mexican dishes, and they throw fiestas. They wear sombreros and traditional Mexican clothing. They decorate with colorful decorations like papel picado,” freshman Stella Crater said. 

  Many people who celebrate Cinco de Mayo do not know the actual history of it. They just celebrate for the sake of celebrating and having a good time. They go out to restaurants with family and friends, and they celebrate something they know little about.

  “It’s kinda like St. Patrick’s day. A lot of people get dressed up in green but they’re not Irish. They go out to the pubs and drink and they do the Irish jig, even though they’re not Irish. So, it’s a lot like that here, a lot of people go out and have food or drink a Corona beer, put on a sombrero and go to celebrations,” Hansen said.