Why do americans think we celebrate 5 de mayo in Mexico?

Question

Its just a random holiday where we dont have to go to school or work but we dont celebrate anything. Our independence day its september 15

Answer 1

Cause they're ignorant. Mexican national party is September the 16th, "Cinco de Mayo" is a minor holiday in Mexico.  

Answer 2

Hello,

The Mexican community celebrates this successful Battle of Puebla against the French occupying forces here in Canada and the US with parties and speeches from the Counsuls and some of them have told us English it is celebrated there. We know it is not your independence day as some think.

Also here is another reason to think so:

"Nowadays, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated though out the country, but very especially in the state of Puebla and in Mexico City.

  There are military parades as a way of paying tribute to all the heroes, soldiers and civilians that gave their lives for their country.  Schools participate in parades too. It takes months of rehearsal and preparation for marching bands to perform and compete among others to be the best.  Parades are so popular that people wake up very early and rush to the streets seeking a good spot to watch and enjoy them.

  In the Peñón de los Baños, a small barrio or neighborhood in Mexico City, very near the airport, the people organize a very popular representation of the Cinco de Mayo battle.  This play is a tradition that the people of the Peñón have kept alive for many years. Some of the inhabitants play the French invaders and others the Mexican army.  They even have fights with real gunpowder rifles!  And sometimes they do get hurt.

  Each city has a Zócalo, where celebrations take place and people of all ages enjoy themselves. The square livens up with music, laughter and vibrant colors.

  Families with young children are the first to arrive. Later the young people will fill up the place.

No celebration can be complete without food.  A few days before the big event, hundreds of stalls start aligning on the streets near the Zócalo of all the towns.  Restaurants all over offer the most representative of Mexican cuisine: Mole Poblano.  A thick spicy sauce that comes from blending more than 40 ingredients, and is spread on top of turkey or chicken and Mexican style red rice.   Mole is so popular that it is served on nearly every important occasion.

  There are usually shows in the squares where there are dancing and music with the ever so popular mariachi bands.

  Everybody is there to have fun and make noise with whistles and rattles and horns. In most towns there are fairs set near the squares where people enjoy the rides and play games.

  Cinco de Mayo ends with the traditional shouts of ¡Viva Mexico! and people looking forward to the next National Holiday: El 16 de Septiembre Día de la Independencia de Mexico” , where we’ll have the chance to celebrate once again!"

http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurecinc...

Answer 3

We know you don't. To be honest it doesn't matter. Just another excuse to drink beers.

Answer 4

My Spanish teacher lied. I'm suing the school board.  

Answer 5

It's just an excuse to go out and drink after work kinda like St. Patrick's Day. Americans celebrate all kinds of ethnic type festivals and holidays regardless if they're that ethnic group. It's not a bad thing, means most Americans are comfortable with a celebration of Mexican culture.

I've been told St. Patrick's Day is a much bigger thing in America than it is in Ireland.

Answer 6

We're taught that you do. With videos and explanation of the festivities.

It's good to know that it isn't like that.

Answer 7

It seems to have a lot of history behind it and maybe more celebrate it then you think.

Answer 8

Who cares, we don't have to work and we drink beer all day

Answer 9

Wasn't it because the mexicans won their first battle agaisnt the french for independence? or something like that...

Answer 10

I dont know the meaning behind it but we're always down to have a reason to party.

Answer 11

Because most Americans have been led to believe that it is Mexico's independence day (like our 4th of July).  They do not realize that it really only commemorates a relatively small victory over the French army in the town of Puebla.  Cinco De Mayo was heavily promoted by the Mexican beer importers beginning back in the 80's.  Before that most Americans Hispanic or otherwise had never heard of it. Now it's mainly a reason to drink beer and eat Mexican food (mostly to drink beer).  

Answer 12

Possibly because a lot of Mexicans celebrate it, and the wording of the holiday is in Spanish.

Answer 13

In the early 1900's a cargo ship in route from Spain to Mexico sank in the Caribean due to a hurricane.  It's cargo was mayonaise.  The mexican government was so distrought that they set aside a holiday to remember the day "sink o the mayo".

Answer 14

you really dont? im mexican american and i didnt even know that. i guess im too americanized huh