CINCO DE MAYO

Cinco de Mayo will be observed in Southern California this weekend with celebrations featuring Mexican music, dance and traditional foods. Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important victory in Mexican history and is recalled with pride by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.

On May 5, 1862, a small Mexican force overwhelmed 7,500 French troops in the town of Puebla. Although the French went on to dominate Mexico for five years, the Mexicans’ success grew to symbolize the people’s struggle against foreign domination.