Cinco de Mayo

 Or better known as the day that Americans have an excuse to drink way too much and act silly.

Cinco de Mayo is not meant to be about eating tacos, drinking margaritas, or wearing big hats. For the Mexicans, it is meant to be the anniversary of their victory over the French. And no, it is not the equivalent of the American holiday, the Fourth of July. Cinco de Mayo is not the symbol of their independence, they prefer to use when they first declared war against Spain for that date.

Back in September of 1810, Mexico declared war against Spain who had ruled over them for three centuries since the fall of the Aztec Empire. That day is referred to as their Independence Day because it is when they broke ties with their parent country and started to fight for their right to be a stand-alone country. Five decades later, in 1862, Napoleon was trying to spread his rule to other territories and he sent 6,000 French troops to the coastal town of Puebla. They were unsuccessful. The 2,000 Mexican soldiers that were waiting there that day, fought valiantly and won. That is what Cinco de Mayo represents.

The events that occurred on that day then led to the French withdrawing their troops from all of North America, allowing the American Civil War to run its course without additional parties intervening. This may be why Americans tend to celebrate the holiday more than the Mexicans do, or at least the original reason.

But as with most holidays, the original intent is no longer the actual reason. Instead its a reason to have a little extra fun and be a little extra silly.

Whatever reason you choose to celebrate and whatever way you decide to take part, just make sure you're being safe out there!