Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

06 May 07
Deep Thoughts

By “We” I mean US Citizens in general. I of course don’t mean any Mexican-Americans, that makes perfect sense, enjoy it.

What I mean is why do we, the pasty corn-fed midwestern average-joe American, celebrate this holiday? Not even all of Mexico celebrates it! I wonder how many people realize they’re drinking to a battle between the French and Mexicans in the 1800s?

When I was young in school our teachers would occasionally mention it, or if I happened to be in a spanish class they might give some detail. Our Mexican population has exploded since then so it makes sense that it’s mentioned more. What surprises me is how marketing has taken it to a level of general knowledge–at least general knowledge that it’s an event and excuse to drink and party.

Any excuse to celebrate is fine I guess, I just find it a bit odd!

Popularity Update

This page gets a lot of hits, apparently the title is a common google search. For those of you coming here from search engines, please share your thoughts. I’d love to hear more about the traditional celebration, as well as the more contemporary ones.

For those who haven’t been to the photo gallery lately, check out some of the landscape shots I got on vacation last weekend.

I think this is my favourite

21 Comments

» Leave one of your own

Comment by wendy — May 9, 2007 @ 1:28 pm

5 de mayo is a very special holiday all mexicans and im proud of being mexican
Comment by Alex — May 9, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

I think you missed my point Wendy. It does make good sense to me that Mexicans celebrate it… but I see a lot more white american kids celebrating it than I do Mexicans, and that doesn’t make any sense.

Interestingly though, it’s not even a federal holiday in Mexico, it’s a regional thing. Mainly only Peubla celebrate.
Comment by Sean — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

Hi Alex.

I agree that most average-joe American’s really shouldn’t be celebrating it… and like you pointed out, most Americans don’t even know what the day is about… they just think “whoo hooo… beer and salsa… lets party”.

On May 5, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Yeah, I’m American
Comment by Alex — May 9, 2007 @ 2:29 pm

I am all for beer and salsa, but I don’t think I need an excuse for it.

Whoo-hoo, it’s wednesday, Beer and salsa tonight!
Comment by janet — May 10, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

I’am mexican, but my family and i don’t celebrate 5 de mayo. i just think that the ones that have to celebrate is puebla after all they were the ones winning the battle.many mexican’s don’t even know what they are celebrating they just want to get drunk.If you ask mexican’s what are they celebrating many will say that they are celebrating mexico’s independents i just think that is relly stupid to celebrate something that you don’t even know what it means.
Comment by Alex — May 10, 2007 @ 2:58 pm

Thanks a lot Janet. I was wondering if this was the case or not after reading up on it a bit, but I was afraid if I put out that theory I’d get the racist card played on me since I’m about as white american as they come.

It’s good to know that I’m not the only one a bit confused!
Comment by Nicky D — May 2, 2008 @ 4:35 pm

Cinco De mayo is something to be proud of. It’s your heritage. it is what and who you are. I’m stoned and drunk so don’t pay any attention to me…. I just wanted to sound smart for a minute
Comment by Rosa — May 4, 2008 @ 11:23 am

I consider my self a mexican-american being born here in Texas. I don’t normally or hardly ever celebrate cinco de mayo. I do hate though non mexican people talking about celebrating WHY?, would I celebrate Saint Patrick’s day NO. But then there are those who celebrate the birthday of donkey from Winnie Pooh.
Comment by sexymami — May 5, 2008 @ 8:46 am

i knw this is hard 2said but i actually agree with you gurl wendy -nd- am also proud 2 b mexicana.cuz i am….!!!!!;]
Comment by enamorada — May 5, 2008 @ 8:54 am

i love margarito and hi love me too!!!we we r going out ok wendy he is cheating on u!!!!!
Comment by Webster-Legs — May 5, 2008 @ 11:44 am

My wife is from Mexico and she never celebrated the holiday. I believe Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated in the U.S. mainly for economical reasons. It’s like Valentine’s Day. I love my wife everyday–I don’t need a special day to show my love for her by buying her a dozen roses. These holidays are celebrated to help businesses make money. Instead of Cinco de Mayo, why don’t we celebrate Sept. 15, Mexico’s Independence?
Comment by Webster-Legs — May 5, 2008 @ 12:37 pm

sorry their day of independence is on Sept. 16th.
Comment by Cosmo — May 5, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

this infomation was really helpful
Comment by David — May 5, 2008 @ 2:26 pm

The reason white Americans celebrate it is because we helped expel the french from Mexico. These French soldiers were also to supply the Confederate soldiers with weopons that could have changed the outcome of the civil war.
Comment by jessy — May 5, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

i celebrate it especially in school me and my friend last year had planed the party and the teacher said ya its kewl so we had pinatas dancing me and my friend had danced and we told evryone the meaning of it too i thought it was fun so it was fun we had dip and chips……………….
Comment by jacy — May 5, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

i really didnt know that LOL
Comment by creytisha — May 5, 2008 @ 7:04 pm

I love CINCO DE MAYO It’s my fav hoilday!!!!!! ;- )
Comment by rael — May 7, 2008 @ 11:47 pm

there is reason for both mexicans and americans to celebrate this holiday if it would have not been for the defeat of the french in this battle Napoleon would have come up to the united states and started an invasion so you see there is reason to celebrate it
Comment by nacy — May 8, 2008 @ 10:55 am

i got Drunk
Comment by nacy — May 13, 2008 @ 11:14 am

were kinda asain black mexicans

me and my sister us asains

our parents loved alot of ppl
Comment by nacy — May 20, 2008 @ 11:10 am

fine im giving up on u guys