¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Today I called one of my co-workers and friends, Adrián, in the México City office. Jokingly, I wished him a "Feliz Cinco de Mayo." Of course, the fact that he was at work reveals a little known fact about Cinco de Mayo: Mexicans do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo half as much as we Americans do!

Of course, any Mexican who has taken a history class can tell you about the Battle of Puebla and how the Mexican troops in Puebla defied the French occupying forces on 5-May-1862. But, as my friend Adrián pointed out, a few days after the Battle of Puebla the Mexicans suffered some major military setbacks, and it wasn't until 1867 that México rid themselves of the French.

So, no piñatas, no sombreros, just another day of work for most Mexicans, except those Mexicans lucky enough to live in Puebla, where Cinco de Mayo is naturally a more significant holiday.

However, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't all go out and celebrate! If nothing else, Cinco de Mayo should be an excuse to enjoy some of México's many delights. So take time to indulge in some margaritas and cervezas mexicanas tonight, eat some tamales, and if you really want to remember Puebla, then don't forget to try one of its famous dishes: enchiladas con mole poblano!

¡Viva México! and ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!