Why do the USA celebrates Mexico and Mexicans on May 5th ( Cinco de Mayo) ?

Question

Why do the USA celebrates Mexico and Mexicans on May 5th ( Cinco de Mayo) ?

Answer 1

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry, respectively.

Note:  It should not be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16.

Answer 2

probably because it gives them (Us) an excuse to drink.

Answer 3

Because it gives the drunks another reason to get drunk.

Answer 4

Because the people here that are of Mexican heritage still celebrate their old country - remember, most of the southwestern US used to be Mexico and the Mexican-Americans remember that.  

The big celebrations are mostly out there - in the southwestern US.

Answer 5

The same reasons we celebrate Ireland and the Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

Answer 6

Why not?  We celebrate a variety of international, cultural holidays.

Answer 7

because there are a LOT of Mexicans who cherish that holiday and they have immigrated here to USA and they introduced it to and celebrated it with USA - they dont forget their heritage and they dont travel all the way back to Mexico just to celebrate it.  They stay right here... So I guess you want us to be segregated again?

If they want us to be seperate from the holidays they value, they should only celebrate it in Mexico, rather than bringing it here to the united states.

Answer 8

If I don't Jesus won't do my lawn anymore.

Answer 9

(Spanish for "5th of May")

It’s a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla. It is not an obligatory federal holiday. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City; a year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico. The French were eventually defeated and expelled in 1867. Maximilian was executed by President Benito Juarez, five years after the Battle of Puebla.

Answer 10

I know some people that like to go out and drink, but have not observed any celebrations, parades or anything really. So I would say that the USA does not celebrate May 5th officially. Bars just advertise drinking.

Answer 11

Last I knew it wasn't a holiday although we have a large Mexican population that does celebrate it.

And, of course, our bars will celebrate anything that sells drinks.