Cinco de Mayo Food and Festivities
Lots of people in the United States have heard of Cinco de Mayo. Some even look forward to celebrating it every year. Many, however, do not understand the history behind this Mexican holiday. If you ask the average American why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, they will tell you it is Mexican Independence Day. They are wrong. That actually falls on September 16.
In the 1950s, the USA began the Good Neighbor Policy. This program encouraged citizens to make contact with the neighboring countries. The USA got its first taste of Cinco de Mayo at that time. The holiday became more prominent as Chicano advocates used it to help boost Mexican-American pride.
Through the following decades, this celebration kept growing with the "popular culture" movement. The commercialism of Cinco de Mayo finally pushed it into the mainstream, advertising it as a fun new holiday for food and alcoholic beverages. The correct meaning for this holiday, the victory over the French by Mexico in 1862, has gotten a bit watered down.
As Cinco de Mayo's mainstream status grew, more Americans became interested in celebrating it. People began to look into Mexican traditions, music, and food. Cinco de Mayo would soon become a hotly anticipated holiday every year.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse to really indulge oneself into all things Mexican. Partygoers can dress in traditional bright clothing, decorate their homes with the Mexican flag, sombreros, and chili peppers, and have a lot of fun with the day. Kids learn about the holiday in school and bring home more interesting bits of information to share with their parents.
Some people throw big parties on May 5th. It's not a holiday reserved just for Mexicans anymore. All sorts of ethnic groups now jump on the bandwagon. Some groups even hold their own parades and festivals to add to the celebratory mood. In some places, the celebration has spread to immense proportions. New York, Port Huron, and Los Angeles are all home to huge Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
You can always stay home and celebrate with friends and family. To plan your celebration right, start thinking about how you can cook Cinco de Mayo food, find salsa music and supply fun and colorful decorations. Your private bash can become as fashionable as the community parties thrown around town can.
If you have ever been curious about some Mexican recipes, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to try them. Make some excellent food for you and your family to enjoy and share some of the culture of Mexico. Invite some friends over and have them bring snacks.
For those who want to enjoy the nightlife, check out the local Mexican restaurants to see if there is any parties in the works. You can always head out for a delicious meal, drinks, and salsa dancing to commemorate Cinco de Mayo. If you want a more peaceful celebration, cook up some tacos and throw Zorro into the DVD player. There is no rule that says you have to party to celebrate.
In the 1950s, the USA began the Good Neighbor Policy. This program encouraged citizens to make contact with the neighboring countries. The USA got its first taste of Cinco de Mayo at that time. The holiday became more prominent as Chicano advocates used it to help boost Mexican-American pride.
Through the following decades, this celebration kept growing with the "popular culture" movement. The commercialism of Cinco de Mayo finally pushed it into the mainstream, advertising it as a fun new holiday for food and alcoholic beverages. The correct meaning for this holiday, the victory over the French by Mexico in 1862, has gotten a bit watered down.
As Cinco de Mayo's mainstream status grew, more Americans became interested in celebrating it. People began to look into Mexican traditions, music, and food. Cinco de Mayo would soon become a hotly anticipated holiday every year.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is a great excuse to really indulge oneself into all things Mexican. Partygoers can dress in traditional bright clothing, decorate their homes with the Mexican flag, sombreros, and chili peppers, and have a lot of fun with the day. Kids learn about the holiday in school and bring home more interesting bits of information to share with their parents.
Some people throw big parties on May 5th. It's not a holiday reserved just for Mexicans anymore. All sorts of ethnic groups now jump on the bandwagon. Some groups even hold their own parades and festivals to add to the celebratory mood. In some places, the celebration has spread to immense proportions. New York, Port Huron, and Los Angeles are all home to huge Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
You can always stay home and celebrate with friends and family. To plan your celebration right, start thinking about how you can cook Cinco de Mayo food, find salsa music and supply fun and colorful decorations. Your private bash can become as fashionable as the community parties thrown around town can.
If you have ever been curious about some Mexican recipes, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to try them. Make some excellent food for you and your family to enjoy and share some of the culture of Mexico. Invite some friends over and have them bring snacks.
For those who want to enjoy the nightlife, check out the local Mexican restaurants to see if there is any parties in the works. You can always head out for a delicious meal, drinks, and salsa dancing to commemorate Cinco de Mayo. If you want a more peaceful celebration, cook up some tacos and throw Zorro into the DVD player. There is no rule that says you have to party to celebrate.
About the Author:
There is almost no end to the versatility of Mexican food and there are many quick authentic Mexican recipes and easy dishes that you can make at home for the family. You can find many of these great recipes at MexicanFoodRecipes.org, as well as cooking tips and plenty more besides.
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