Cinco de Mayo is both a widely celebrated cultural holiday in the United States as well as one that seems to be greatly misunderstood. While often thought of as something of a ‘Mexican Independence Day,’ the truth is that the holiday is celebrated not because it gave Mexico its independence, but because it celebrates a victory over a major European power at a time when Mexico’s independence was threatened.
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrating and Appreciating Culture and History
In the United States, at least, the holiday gives Americans a chance to not only join in on that celebration, but to take time to appreciate the culture and history of one of our closest neighbors. Though Cinco de Mayo might be most commonly associated with drinking and eating by many, in truth it can mean much more.
What Cinco de Mayo offers many is the chance to embrace the diversity that has become such an important part of life in North America. This holiday is an excellent way to bring together diverse groups of people to not only learn more about the day, but also to take the time to learn more about one another’s cultures. For many, Cinco de Mayo can be as much about learning as it is about taking the time to celebrate a major historical event.
Sharing Culture from Around the World
While this holiday might not be among the most celebrated in the U.S., it’s still one that’s marked on calendars and that is generally recognized in the wider world. As such, it’s always important to take the time to learn a little more about the celebration’s origins and to appreciate the culture from which it springs. Doing so not only gives everyone a greater appreciation for the celebrations that do occur, but it helps bring together people from all walks of life in a way that’s often hard to do during other times of the year.
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