Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by Mexicans and many in the U.S. You might be mexican or your child may have mexican classmates. Anyway In the US we might be all speaking French if it weren't for the mexicans who held their ground against an army twice their size. (love when my kids learn about heroics that make a difference) They were actually under the leadership of a Texan born general.

The other reason to at least acknowledge this holiday if you are not hispanic is because it is a fun exposure to Spanish culture which is increasingly important in our day to day lives and those of our children.

If you want some help with facts or in celebrating, check out some of these links (history, recipes, decorations):

History
http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm
http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm

History plus games, decorations even lesson plans
http://holidays.kaboose.com/cinco-de-mayo/
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/

Food
http://recp.mkt32.net/servlet/MailView?m=4044950&r=MzgzNzgyNzYxMwS2&j=MTE1OTg0NDk3IAS2&mt=1
http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blcincodemayo.htm

Feliz cinco de mayo!(happy cinco de mayo)

By Enchens on Thursday, April 30, 2009 - 02:43 pm:

Linda, I'm so glad you know what it is! You don't know how many people I run into that think it's Mexican Independence Day.

I don't do much for it with my family. In school we used to do stuff-tissue flowers and stuff. We'd also have an assembly where local dancers would demonstrate traditional dances from Mexico. When I got to high school, I was one of the dancers. It was pretty fun.

Of course, anywhere you go around here will have some kind of festivities. The problem will be picking ONE!