Commonly mistaken as the day of Mexican Independence, May 5th actually marks the initial successful battle against the occupying French in 1862.
The Battle of Puebla was the first victory that eventually led to a total expulsion of the French from Mexico five years later. Mexico’s real Independence Day falls on September 16th.
As a holiday, Cinco de Mayo (meaning May 5th in Spanish) is only regionally celebrated in Mexico, particularly in Puebla. Rather, this has become a large scale celebration of Mexican culture and tradition in the United States.
Despite the misconceptions surrounding Cinco de Mayo, it is a significant holiday that has a long history. Some of the earliest records suggest that the holiday has been celebrated since the 1860s. Generally, it has developed into a celebration of those with Mexican ancestry, of whom there are many in the United States since a large portion of the country once belonged to Mexico. Large public celebrations can be found in cities with high concentrations of people with Mexican ancestry.
Festivities center around food, drinks and music. Often street parties and house parties involve plenty of Mexican dishes and typical drinks with colorful decorations. Both traditional Mexican figures as well as prominent American figures with Mexican heritage are celebrated and honored on this day.
Much like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity for big parties and lots of colorful celebrating. The parties have spread around the world as people have caught on to the good food and fun to be had on this day. Here in Budapest, Iguana Restaurant has built the tradition of a street party. Every year the street is closed and hundreds of people come out for a good time.
