Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo! Send free Cinco de Mayo eCards to friends and family in honor of the occasion! Often confused with Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. (Mexico declared its independence over 50 years earlier. This battle was over unpaid debts owed to European governments.)

Cinco de Mayo is actually a fairly minor holiday in Mexico. Celebrations are usually limited to the Puebla region and consist mostly of military parades. For Mexican-Americans living in the United States, it is a different matter. Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a huge festival that celebrates Mexican culture and heritage. People mark the occasion with elaborate family feasts, parties, mariachi music, and traditional folk dancing.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, mix up a delicious margarita recipe!