Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. After Mexico finally gained independence from Spain in 1821, its economy was in ruins, and the country was unable to repay its debts to France. As a result, Napoleon III used the debt as an excuse to send his army to Mexico to set up a satellite state. Under the command of General Charles Latrille Laurencez, the troops made their way toward the capital city, but were stopped by the significantly smaller Mexican army at the fortified city of Puebla. The following year, the French again attacked Puebla, and this time, the Mexican troops surrendered and many were sent to France as prisoners. On April 2, 1867, Mexican General Porfirio Diaz retook control of the city, thus ending the French occupation. Today, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Whether you are looking for some ideas to make your Cinco de Mayo more festive or ways to get your students excited about their upcoming tour to Mexico, here are some ideas.
- Decorate with the three colors of the Mexican flag: green, red and white. Green symbolizes hope and victory, red represents the blood shed by those who fought for Mexico and white is for the purity of Mexican ideals.
- Mexico has a population of more than 100 million and the largest number of Spanish speakers in the world. Try learning a few words of Spanish.
- Serve tasty treats like this trés leches cake.
- Play some mariachi music, a traditional Mexican music characterized by violins, trumpets, guitars, vihuelas (high-pitched, five-string guitar) and a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass).
- Watch a movie that takes place in Mexico.
- Celebrate with a piñata. The Aztecs and Mayans used to make clay pots in the shape of their gods and fill them with trinkets. Using a wooden stick, they would break the pots, signifying a profusion of good fortune from the gods.






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