2. What is Cinco Mayo?  It is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French army on May 5, 1862 at the Battalla de Puebla = Battle of Pueblo

3. When did it begin?  The first U.S. Cinco de Mayo celebration was held in 1863 in California.

4. Who celebrates it?  People of Mexican descent who live in the U.S.  Hispanic communities

5. How do people celebrate it?  Dances  Music  Food  Games  Parades

6. Parades  Cities that have large Chicano populations have parades.  Some cities also have street fairs, carnivals, or culture festivals to celebrate.

7. Dances  The Mexican Hat Dance and La Raspa are two popular dances.

8. Music  Mariachi groups dress in traditional charro costumes and play Mexican folk music.

9. Food  Traditional foods might include enchiladas, mole poblano, guacamole, and salsa.

10. Games  Break the piñata is a popular game.  It might be a good time to play “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”

11. Words to Know  Batalla de Puebla = Battle of Pueblo  Chicano = Mexican Americans who live in the U.S.  Cinco = five  Mayo = May  Fiesta = holiday celebration  Piñata = candy-filled papier-mâché figure  Mariachi = group of musicians in uniforms and sombreros  Sombrero = wide-brimmed Mexican hat  Charro = cowboy in elaborate dress  Jarabe tapatío = Mexican Hat Dance  Olé = bravo

12. Sources   Kalman, Bobby. Mexico: the culture. Crabtree Publishing Co. © 1993   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Cinco_de_Mayo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Cinco_de_Mayo   http://purpletrail.com/partytr ail/uncategorized/cinco-de- mayo-trivia-facts/ Yo quiero tacos, mi amigo!