How to distinguish Mexican Independence Day from Cinco de Mayo
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The events the two holidays commemorate are separated by over fifty years.old calendar image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
Look at the calendar. Cinco de Mayo (as the name suggests) takes place on the fifth of May, while Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on Sept. 16. - 2
Though both events have a connection to France, Mexican Independence Day technically celebrates liberation from Spain.cannon image by apeschi from Fotolia.com
Know your dates. Mexican Independence Day celebrates the beginning of Mexico's revolt against Spanish rule and José Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother), who had been installed as King of Spain in 1808. Cinco De Mayo celebrates Mexico defeating French invaders 50 years later at the battle of Puebla. - 3
Mariachi music is often associated with Cinco De Mayo celebrations.Visual moments from a great international sporting event image by fotoliamemberN from Fotolia.com
Understand the celebrations. Cinco de Mayo is a much better recognized date in the United States because of commercial interests. Over the past decade, companies and communities began marketing to growing Hispanic populations around Cinco de Mayo with food, games, and parades that celebrated their ethnic heritage. However, in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in and around the Puebla region, where the famous battle was fought, it is much more of a regional holiday, while Mexican Independence Day is celebrated nationally.
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