Cinco de Mayo Arrives Today, Celebrations Flood Twitter

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Monday, May 05, 2014

Cinco de Mayo is sweeping social media today, but many people are wondering what exactly the Mexican holiday represents.

Spanish for "fifth of May," Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, Mexico; where it is known as El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla, or The Day of the Battle of Puebla. Nevertheless, Cinco de Mayo traditions are also observed in other places such as the U.S. today.

Cinco de Mayo is commonly mistaken as Mexico's Independence Day, which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico on Sept. 16 each year. Instead, the holiday commemorates the cause of freedom and democracy during the beginning of the American Civil War. Furthermore, in the U.S., the day sees Mexican-Americans celebrating their Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo celebrations originated in the American West, Southwest and Northwest, but they have grown in popularity and reach across the nation today.

Celebrations include serving Mexican food and drinks and displaying banners that are drawn from traditional Mexican symbols. Examples of popular Mexican foods include guacamole, refried beans, and spiced meats such as carnitas (beef) and chorizo (sausage). Moreover, many schools hold special events to educate students about the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. Other proceedings on the holiday highlight Mexican culture, especially its music and dancing.

Many cities across the globe, such as London, Paris, and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean also hold celebrations of Cinco de Mayo. On Monday, Twitter was flooded with Cinco de Mayo revelers as #CincodeMayo became a trending topic.

"Today I can put tequila on my eggs, in my coffee and on my toothbrush and it's not weird," Twitter user Jackson posted.

McKenna added, "Favorite holidayyyy @CincodeMayo, tempted to wear my sombrero to class today."

Furthermore, hundreds of restaurants are advertising specials on Mexican dishes and drinks, especially the margarita. The popular drink is comprised of tequila, triple sec (such as Grand Marnier) and lime or lemon juice; often served with salt on the rim of the glass. The drink may also be enjoyed without alcohol.