¡Viva Mexico!

Cinco de Mayo ("The Fifth of May" in Spanish) is a national, but not an official, holiday in Mexico. It is also widely celebrated in the United States. The holiday commemorates the victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over the French occupational forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 (part of the Franco-Mexican War). There are observances throughout Mexico that combine food, drink, music and dancing.

In the United States, many Americans regardless of ethnic origin observe Cinco de Mayo, most of all in the southern border states where there are large Hispanic populations. Celebrations honor such traditional Mexican symbols as the Virgin de Guadalupe and such prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States as Cesar Chavez. In Washington, DC, the Maru Montero Dance Company each year hosts the National Cinco de Mayo Festival. President Bush has delivered an official Cinco de Mayo message.

You can go to the Cinco History website or MexOnline.com for more information about the history of the Cinco de Mayo. Or take a look at the Food Network's Cinco de Mayo for information about recipes and parties. The District del Sol website presents several special Cinco de Mayo photographs.

Our library has several adult and juvenile resources about Cinco de Mayo including The Latino holiday book : from Cinco de Mayo to Dia de los Muertos-- the celebrations and traditions of Hispanic-Americans by Valerie Menard. You may also wish to take a look at our resources about Cesar Chavez including Sal si puedes; Cesar Chavez and the new American Revolution by Pete Matthiessen and Delano, the story of the California grape strike. Photos by Ted Streshinsky by John Gregory Dunne.

So happy celebrating and happy reading!