Thursday, May 5, 2011

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Yesterday while Mimi was babysitting, Mande and I were trying to explain to the A girls just what Cinco de Mayo is . . . yes, we thought it was the celebration of Mexican independence . . . and why did we celebrate it here in the United States? It was all a little confusing to them . . . so,when Mimi got home she had to do a little research and here's what I found . . .

These websites are only 2 of many that hold information on Cinco de Mayo. Mamas, you might want to let your girls read them for correct information.
Basically, Cinco de Mayo is the holiday that commenorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mexican Independence Day occurred September 15, 1810. Both articles emphasized that Cinco de Mayo is not really celebrated in Mexico as it is in the United States; Mexicans celebrate their independence day the same way we celebrate July 4. According to the abcnews.go.com article, originally beer companies began making a big deal over Cinco de Mayo because they saw it as a way to sell more beer . . . hummm . . . now, many Americans just use it as a way to eat traditional Mexican dishes and drink margaritas and P.A.R.T.Y. Well, maybe that's why our country club is having a big Cinco de Mayo party tonight ~ complete with all kinds of Mexican dishes and 2 for one margaritas.
Yes, Mimi and Granddaddy will be joining the Lances tonight for the big celebration (minus the margaritas). Heartburn tomorrow most likely.

But, the A girls are just glad their country club is going for plain FAMILY night and serving their favorite food ~ CATFISH!!
However, you're celebrating ~ just think about the ending of the article from the vivacincodemayo.org site . . .

It might be a historical stretch to credit the survival of the United States to those brave 4,000 Mexicans who faced an army twice as large in 1862. But who knows.

In gratitude, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Armed Forces. As recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded American consulates with phone calls, trying to join up and fight another war for America.

Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party -- a party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect ever since the 5th of May, 1862.

VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!!

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