Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday, which has been celebrated continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo festivals in the United States are characterized by parades, patriotic speeches and picnics, along with the prominent display of both the Mexican and U.S. flags. However, not everyone celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Mexican dances and food. Some use the holiday as a reason for eating and drinking to excess. Though this can be offensive for some people of Mexican heritage, most believe the excessive eating and drinking is a result of misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo. Here are the facts, or at least the story...

El Luchador		"Cinco de Mayo celebrates the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 in which a Mexican force of 4,500 men faced a larger army of 6,000 French soldiers." "The battle lasted four hours and ended in a victory for the Mexican army. Today, Cinco de Mayo has become a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture." "Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexican Independence Day as many people have come to believe. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th."
El Vez Jones, The ShrineMaster EricHatheway.com		Cinco de Mayo The Facts from El Vez		Current Flag of Mexico Adopted September 16, 1968