Cinco+de+Mayo

[[image:Cinco_de_Mayo_2008_024.jpg width="286" height="240" align="left"]]Cinco de Mayo
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, //The 5th Of May//, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state [|capital city of Puebla] and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, [|Mexico's Independence Day], which is actually September 16.

**Today's Celebration**
For the most part, the holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated most vigorously in the state of Puebla. In the U.S. celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular. **The** **holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music, beverages and customs unique to Mexico.**

Commercial interests in the United States and Mexico have also had a hand in promoting the holiday, with products and services focused on Mexican food, beverages and festivities, with music playing a more visible role as well. Several cities throughout the U.S. hold parades and concerts during the week following up to May 5th, so that Cinco de Mayo has become a bigger holiday north of the border than it is to the south, and being adopted into the holiday calendar of more and more people every year.