The Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition, a tradition is defined as, "The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication" (Dictionary.com). Today the tradition of Cinco de Mayo has evolved since its creation in the late 1800s and is now celebrated by Mexican-Americans, Chicanos, and various Hispanic communities in the U.S. as a day of joyous reaffirmation. On this day these groups pass down stories of present and past hardships, failures, and victories to a new generation. The Cinco de Mayo Fiestas include many forms of Latin music, food, theatre, artwork, craft fairs and other forms of cultural expression (Vazquez www.lasculturas.com). Attendance ranges from the three-day celebration on Olvera Street in Los Angeles û which attracts half a million people û to small events sponsored by Mexican cultural programs or district wide diversity programs (Cinco de Mayo http://zedilloworld.presidencia.gob.mx).

The origins of Cinco de Mayo date back to the mid-1800s when Mexico gained its independence from Spain, b

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nd eventually all the way to the coast. This was the first time France had suffered a military defeat in almost half a century. As a result, the date of the battle, May 5, 1862, became a celebrated holiday known as Cinco de Mayo (Cinco de Mayo http://zedilloworld.presidencia.gob.mx). The Battle of Puebla was significant because it marked the last time a European army invaded the Americas and came to symbolize an end to foreign intervention. Since then, Cinco de Mayo has come to represent national sovereignty and the right of self-determination. There is also a sense of ethnic triumph inherent in the victory at Puebla. In 1862 General Laurencez reported to the French government that, "We are so superior to the Mexicans in race, in organization, in discipline, in morality, and in refinement of sensibilities, that as of this moment, at the head of 6,000 valiant soldiers, I am the master of Mexico" (Cinco de Mayo http://zedilloworld.presidencia.gob.mx). The victory at Puebla proved Laurencez wrong and Cinco de Mayo came to represent the ability of indigenous peoples to defend themselves from military and cultural aggression and to maintain their traditions. Today Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in several Mexican towns, and i
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Battle Puebla, Mexico Cinco, United Mexico, Los Angeles, Raza Chicago, de mayo, cinco de mayo, cinco de, Napoleon III, Texas Mexico, Accessed October, Fourth Edition, Benito Juarez, de mayo http//zedilloworldpresidenciagobmx, mayo http//zedilloworldpresidenciagobmx, battle puebla, mexico cinco de, accessed october, 20 2004, mexico cinco, october 20 2004, accessed 20, accessed 20 october, 20 october, october 20,
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