Cinco de Mayo special

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a celebration held on May 5. It is celebrated in the United Statesand in Mexico, primarily in the state ofPuebla

It originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, and today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

n 9 May 1862, President Juárez declared that the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla would be a national holiday regarded as "Battle of Puebla Day" or "Battle of Cinco de Mayo".

Although Mexican citizens feel very proud of the meaning of Cinco de Mayo, it is not a national holiday in Mexico but it is an official holiday in the State of Puebla, where the Battle took place. However, all public schools are closed nation-wide in Mexico on May 5. It is also a full holiday (no work) in the neighboring state of Veracruz

Events tied to Cinco de Mayo also occur outside Mexico and the United States. As in the United States, celebrations elsewhere also emphasize Mexican cuisine, culture and music. For example, Windsor, Ontario, holds an American-style "Cinco de Mayo Street Festival", some Canadian pubs play Mexican music and serve Mexican food and drink,and a sky-diving club near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, holds a Cinco de Mayo skydiving event, In the Cayman Islands, in theCaribbean, there is an annual Cinco de Mayo air guitar competition. and at Montego Bay, Jamaica, there is a Cinco de Mayo celebration.The city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, holds an annual Mexican Festival to honor the day, and celebrations are held in London and New Zealand. American-style celebrations of the day can also be found in Paris.Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Tokyo, Japan in Yoyogi Park Event Space as a celebration of all the Americas and not just Mexican culture.

It may come as a surprise to some, but Cinco de Mayo is considered a minor holiday in Mexico. And in the U.S., its historical and cultural significance has pretty much been drowned in shots of José Cuervo and frothy margaritas.

The crowds can savor authentic Mexican cuisine, buy handmade products from Mexican artisans, watch some popular "Lucha Libre" wrestlers and listen to a real mariachi concert by Ramon "The King of the Accordion" Ayala.

But the most "touching" part of the festival, according to one of its founders Stephanie Lamberson, is the naturalization ceremony that takes place Monday, May 5th. Portland's Mayor Charlie Hales will be there to welcome the city's newest citizens, who come from all corners of the world.