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Friday, April 18, 2014
Cinco De Mayo History
It is an important Mexican celebration, but why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo? In English, Cinco de Mayo is May 5. The relevance of this date dates back to 1862 when an army of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a French army of more than 8000. This victory had a very significant place in world history. The United States of America was never invaded by a European country and Napoleon never got to help the confederate army and install his own appointed emperor. For the state of Puebla, it was a major achievement and meant so much to American independence. It was a great victory for the Mexican army and Mexican pride is always held high when Cinco de Mayo is celebrated. This is because it was a David and Goliath battle when the underdog won the day.
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture; especially with singing, dancing, parties and delicious Mexican food. Although it is not the Mexican’s Independence Day, celebrated on the 16th of September, it is still commemorated as such. Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo in other places other than Puebla in Mexico? There are many Mexican communities that have sprung up around the world and since Cinco de Mayo is an important part of their heritage, it gets to be celebrated wherever Mexican people live.
It is a means for them to show and share their culture and a great way for the younger generation to remember their history. It is important for these people, especially if they have not grown up in their own country, and live in a place where their culture and tradition is not a part of their everyday life. With a fiesta like atmosphere, it becomes a great opportunity for families to get together and in some places this day is a holiday.
The remembrance of Cinco de Mayo is a feast that not only Mexicans appreciate. America’s history is intertwined with the Cinco de Mayo victory and that is why it is remembered in some states, especially those that have Mexican communities. Children go on parades dressed in Mexican costumes and there is Mariachi music and re-enactments of the battles between the French and Mexican soldiers.
Most importantly, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of freedom won by men who were not deterred by the love for their country and the importance they placed on their independence. It is something that is rightly remembered as a day when the underdogs dared to fight back despite the most difficult circumstances. It should not be an excuse for marketing companies to push their products. Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo? To remember the valor of the people who fought for their freedom.
Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture; especially with singing, dancing, parties and delicious Mexican food. Although it is not the Mexican’s Independence Day, celebrated on the 16th of September, it is still commemorated as such. Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo in other places other than Puebla in Mexico? There are many Mexican communities that have sprung up around the world and since Cinco de Mayo is an important part of their heritage, it gets to be celebrated wherever Mexican people live.
It is a means for them to show and share their culture and a great way for the younger generation to remember their history. It is important for these people, especially if they have not grown up in their own country, and live in a place where their culture and tradition is not a part of their everyday life. With a fiesta like atmosphere, it becomes a great opportunity for families to get together and in some places this day is a holiday.
The remembrance of Cinco de Mayo is a feast that not only Mexicans appreciate. America’s history is intertwined with the Cinco de Mayo victory and that is why it is remembered in some states, especially those that have Mexican communities. Children go on parades dressed in Mexican costumes and there is Mariachi music and re-enactments of the battles between the French and Mexican soldiers.
Most importantly, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of freedom won by men who were not deterred by the love for their country and the importance they placed on their independence. It is something that is rightly remembered as a day when the underdogs dared to fight back despite the most difficult circumstances. It should not be an excuse for marketing companies to push their products. Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo? To remember the valor of the people who fought for their freedom.
How to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo
Step 1: Cinco de Mayo Party Decorations
Themed decorations set the tone for a party, getting the guests in the mood when they arrive. Think bright and colorful when decorating for a Cinco de Mayo party.
Use the colors of the Mexican flag (green, red, and white) as the basis for your decorations.
Pinatas can be used as a decorations, or filled with trinkets to also serve as a game at the end of the party. If kids are coming, make sure to have one filled with candy.
Make tissue paper flowers in several sizes. Scatter large ones on the tables, and hand out smaller flowers to your female guests as they arrive. Make sure the small ones have extra wire, so that women can weave them into their hair.large for the tables, small for women to wear in their hair
Have sombreros available for male guests.
You can also find strings of Mexican-themed decorative lights, like chili peppers, cacti and sombreros. Using a string of red chili peppers with a string of green cacti, all you need is a plain string of white lights to have all three colors.
Step 2: Cinco de Mayo Party Drinks
The bar set up-up for a Cinco de Mayo party should include tequila, pitchers of margaritas and sangria, and Mexican beer. Include a colorful non-alcoholic punch, as well, for the designated drivers.
Other popular Mexican drinks include Horchata, which is Mexico is like a cold, sweet cinnamon rice milk. In other countries, it can include chocolate, vanilla, and sesame and be made from almonds or other nuts.
Another popular Mexican drink is Aqua Fresca. This is made from a variety of fruit steeped in ice water and served ice-cold. Melon, guava, tamarind, strawberries and all kinds of fruit may be used, one fruit or a combination. These are common all over the streets of Spanish-speaking countries world-wide, sold by street vendors. They are also sold in more authentic Mexican restaurants and grocerias in the United States. Horchata and Agua Fresca are non-alcoholic by nature, and appropriate for designated drivers or children who may be attending your Cinco de Mayo party.
Step 3: Cinco de Mayo Food
Set up a Cinco de Mayo buffet for the guests to graze on during the evening. Use a colorful table cloth, and present food in wicker napkins and terra cotta , or colorful pottery. You can sprinkle dried chili peppers around the table to add a decorative touch. Have several dishes of salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream available as condiments. If you have a Mexican market near you, you can also find authentic cheeses like Chihuahuan,Queso Blanco, or Queso Asadero to serve, shredded, as toppings. Foods that you may want to include on a Cinco de Mayo buffet include:
Burritos
Carnitas. This takes long, slow heat.
Chalupas
Chile Rellenos
Chimichangas
Enchiladas
Fajitas. A great dish to grill and serve as soon as it's done.
Flan
Mexican beans
Nachos
Pozole. This needs to cook quite a long time, so make sure you start it a day or two in advance. It is typically a holiday food because of the prep time.
Quesadillas
Refried Beans
Tacos
Tamales. Another traditional party food.
Tortillas. Look for "Masa flour" on the ingredient list, as well as "lardo", for the most authentic kind.
Step 4: Cinco de Mayo Music
Mexican music includes mariachi, salsa, and tejano. You can select a few CDs at a local music shop, or download appropriate music from iTunes. Ask your guests if they have any Mexican music, and invite them to bring it along.
If you have a satellite TV service, you may have several stations of various kinds of Mexican or Latino music. This can be a good, trouble-free way to provide music for your party, especially if you have a house-wide music system or have your TV linked to your sound system. Some services have channels dedicated to salsa, or top Latino hits, or even Mexican party music. Check out the offerings of your provider's system before your party starts to know which channels you prefer.
Themed decorations set the tone for a party, getting the guests in the mood when they arrive. Think bright and colorful when decorating for a Cinco de Mayo party.
Use the colors of the Mexican flag (green, red, and white) as the basis for your decorations.
Pinatas can be used as a decorations, or filled with trinkets to also serve as a game at the end of the party. If kids are coming, make sure to have one filled with candy.
Make tissue paper flowers in several sizes. Scatter large ones on the tables, and hand out smaller flowers to your female guests as they arrive. Make sure the small ones have extra wire, so that women can weave them into their hair.large for the tables, small for women to wear in their hair
Have sombreros available for male guests.
You can also find strings of Mexican-themed decorative lights, like chili peppers, cacti and sombreros. Using a string of red chili peppers with a string of green cacti, all you need is a plain string of white lights to have all three colors.
Step 2: Cinco de Mayo Party Drinks
The bar set up-up for a Cinco de Mayo party should include tequila, pitchers of margaritas and sangria, and Mexican beer. Include a colorful non-alcoholic punch, as well, for the designated drivers.
Other popular Mexican drinks include Horchata, which is Mexico is like a cold, sweet cinnamon rice milk. In other countries, it can include chocolate, vanilla, and sesame and be made from almonds or other nuts.
Another popular Mexican drink is Aqua Fresca. This is made from a variety of fruit steeped in ice water and served ice-cold. Melon, guava, tamarind, strawberries and all kinds of fruit may be used, one fruit or a combination. These are common all over the streets of Spanish-speaking countries world-wide, sold by street vendors. They are also sold in more authentic Mexican restaurants and grocerias in the United States. Horchata and Agua Fresca are non-alcoholic by nature, and appropriate for designated drivers or children who may be attending your Cinco de Mayo party.
Step 3: Cinco de Mayo Food
Set up a Cinco de Mayo buffet for the guests to graze on during the evening. Use a colorful table cloth, and present food in wicker napkins and terra cotta , or colorful pottery. You can sprinkle dried chili peppers around the table to add a decorative touch. Have several dishes of salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream available as condiments. If you have a Mexican market near you, you can also find authentic cheeses like Chihuahuan,Queso Blanco, or Queso Asadero to serve, shredded, as toppings. Foods that you may want to include on a Cinco de Mayo buffet include:
Burritos
Carnitas. This takes long, slow heat.
Chalupas
Chile Rellenos
Chimichangas
Enchiladas
Fajitas. A great dish to grill and serve as soon as it's done.
Flan
Mexican beans
Nachos
Pozole. This needs to cook quite a long time, so make sure you start it a day or two in advance. It is typically a holiday food because of the prep time.
Quesadillas
Refried Beans
Tacos
Tamales. Another traditional party food.
Tortillas. Look for "Masa flour" on the ingredient list, as well as "lardo", for the most authentic kind.
Step 4: Cinco de Mayo Music
Mexican music includes mariachi, salsa, and tejano. You can select a few CDs at a local music shop, or download appropriate music from iTunes. Ask your guests if they have any Mexican music, and invite them to bring it along.
If you have a satellite TV service, you may have several stations of various kinds of Mexican or Latino music. This can be a good, trouble-free way to provide music for your party, especially if you have a house-wide music system or have your TV linked to your sound system. Some services have channels dedicated to salsa, or top Latino hits, or even Mexican party music. Check out the offerings of your provider's system before your party starts to know which channels you prefer.
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