Cinco De Mayo: Five Interesting Facts You Should Know About the Popular Mexican American Holiday

Edward Henderson | California Black Media (CBM) – To explore the historical significance of Cinco De Mayo, we step back to the origins of the commemoration, share how some Mexican American Californians regard it and trace how it has morphed into the celebrations we see today. Celebrations in the United States began in 1862 in Columbia, California, a small town located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Tolumne County, according to that town’s website. Today, millions of Americans celebrate Cinco De Mayo annually with 120 official celebrations organized across the United States. This day has become a cultural point of pride for Mexican Americans and other Latino communities in the United States. It serves as a time to affirm and celebrate their cultures with other Americans of all backgrounds as they highlight their contributions to American history and society. Joseph Soltero, a Mexican American living in Escondido, shared his perspective on Cinco de Mayo with California Black Media. He learned about Cinco De Mayo from his grandfather and talked about the extent to which his family and San Diego County community celebrate the holiday. “We knew September 16 was really Mexican Independence Day, but kids in my school...