Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a national holiday in

Main Point 1: La Virgen de Guadalupe represents the Mexican culture and some of the American culture as well.

The Mexican American War began on April 25, 1846. The war lasted two years losing many men on both sides. The Mexican war was the third major fought by the United States. In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla triggers the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain. Mexico gained its independence in 1821 after a long and bloody revolution against Spain. For Mexico, the war between them and the United States was a fight to keep their institutions and national integrity intact, to protect themselves from present and future aggressions by the Americans, but more than anything else, the war was a struggle for land. In the early days of the republic, most Americans made their living by farming, so in 1803

In Mexico, fiestas occur frequently throughout the year as a custom. Mexicans gather on these holidays to eat dance,take part in parades, and remember historic or religious events. Mexican Independence Day celebrates the separation of the country from Spain on September 16, 1810. Another famous celebration is Day of the Dead which is celebrated on the first of November. Although it may sound scary, this celebration is a cheerful time of remembering friends and family members who have died.

I am going to tell you about a famous, yet kinda eerie celebration that takes place in mexico. This is a tradition celebrated by the Mexican Natives, most Mexican Americans (including myself) don’t even acknowledge this day, unless they happen to be visiting mexico at the time of this event.

It’s 1846 and a war has begun, thousands dead, and only half of Mexico is left. This war took place on the “Texas side” of the Rio Grande. The war ended in 1848 after mass destruction took place. The war was called the ‘Mexican War” or the ‘US Invasion” depending on what side you were on. Many things led to the Mexican War. One event was that John Sidell was asked to leave Mexico City because he angered the Mexican government. Also, James K. Polk became president of the United States in late 1844. The last major event that led to the Mexican War was that Congress voted to annex Texas (Background Essay, par 6-7). Other previous events that led up to this war was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Texas

In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration to honor the dead. This holiday was made for people struggle with losing loved ones, and celebrating it was found to be a good way to help them cope. Families can be seen in the cemetery bringing festive gifts to memorialize lost members.

Many Mexican people have preserved and still do many of their ancestors’ traditions. Tradition plays a big role in my family for example: the food we eat, the music we listen to, what we dance to and what we celebrate to. I wanted a sweet sixteen but of course being Mexican my parents said no. Being in the Mexican culture tradition is that when you turn 15 you’re supposed to have a Quinceanera it symbolizes that you are no longer a kid but you are now a young women. Many people think a Quinceanera is just a party but the real tradition is to have a church mass. Since I am catholic that consists of me going to church and thanking God.

Cinco de Mayo- or the 5th of May- celebrates the 1862 victory made by the Mexican Army over France at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War. The war took place from 1861-1867, and though the victory did not stand for the end of the war, or the final victory it showed the perseverance of the Mexican army. France’s army was known to have more equipment, better officers, and more well-trained soldiers than the Mexican army.The Mexican army had an immense amount of debt to European countries that they could not pay off themselves anytime soon. In response Britain, Spain, and France sent naval forces to Veracruz to collect their money that was owed to them. Though when France sent a massive amount of troops into Mexico it swept through the country quickly, but when the army arrived at Puebla, the Mexican army became triumphant with a surprising victory. Though the pride of the small army did not last long, as the France invaded Mexico City and took victory there. Although the remembrance of an unlikely victory is still recognized every fifth of May to remind everyone that size does not always matter, and sometimes luck will come to you in times of need.

Cinco de Mayo means the fifth of May. It is not an independence day for Mexico like most unknowledgeable people think. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of September. Mexico declared independence from Spain on the 24th of August 1821. Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday either. Mexico and the United States savor this holiday because it is the day where Mexican peasants/ commoners defeated the French and Mexican traitor army that double them in size in Puebla, Mexico one hundred miles away from Mexico city on the 5th of May, 1862.

Today Mexican Independence Day is a major celebration in Mexico and is bigger than Cinco de Mayo. It is celebrated with a fiesta or a party. The celebrating begins on September 15 the eve of Independence Day where crowds of people gather in the zocalos or town meeting place of cities, towns, and villages. In Mexico City a huge square is decorated with flags, flowers and lights of red, white, and green. People sell confetti, whistles, horns, paper-machete helmets, and toys in the colors of red, white and green. There is also plenty of feasting! When the clock strikes eleven o'clock the crowd gets silent.On the last strike of eleven the president of Mexico steps out on the palace balcony, and rings the historic liberty

Mexican culture celebrates their independence with a holiday and fireworks on Cinco de Mayo. The American ritual for independence is celebrated on July 4th also with a holiday and fireworks. Another ritual that is participated in annually by both Mexican and American cultures is the celebration of Christmas. Gift giving is a common ritual during the Christmas season. There are also some very unique rituals specific to each culture. For starters, one the most distinctive rituals in all of the World takes place in the Mexican culture, Dia de Los Muertos. Dia de Los Muertos is a celebration with masks like skulls and dancing honoring late ancestors. Another ritual specific to the Mexican culture is the holiday recognizing the Lady of the Guadalupe. The ritual feast remembers the sightings of her near present day Mexico City. American culture also contains some unique rituals. A very patriotic ritual takes place in the grade school class everyday; it is called the Pledge of Allegiance. This ritual instills patriotic values as well as teaching loyalty to thy nation. Thanksgiving is another example of a ritual not in Mexican culture that is in American culture.

In 1846, president Polk declared war on Mexico after many border disputes and 12 American deaths caused by the Mexican army. At the time, there was no set border between southern America and the northernmost area of Mexico. This caused each country’s army to protect their supposed border leading to American deaths in the disputed area. Just one year earlier, Texas was annexed which led to the addition of the new state to America. Although some people may argue that the war was for selfish American motives, the Mexican American war was justified because of the government’s obligation to improve the lives of American citizens and failure on Mexico’s side to negotiate.

1846 to 1848 Mexico and America were at war with one another. They fought over territory and power. The Mexican American war lasted 2 years and was during President Polk’s terms. The war was in 1846, ‘47, ‘48. President Polk was our 11th President and was in office for 4 years. Before the United States started taking land, Mexico stretched from Guatemala to Oregon and was in equal size to America. Most of the problems started when Mexico realized that their land was very empty and needed inhabitants. This lead to the people that came to inhabit the land making trouble for the Mexican Leaders. Texas applied to be annexed by the US twice before the US agreed. This angered Mexico greatly. They were not okay with their territory trying to break

This past Wednesday, October 12th, I had the opportunity to visit a photo exhibit that was being displayed at Plaza de la Raza. The photo exhibit was dedicated to those actors and actresses that have put the Latino talent in Hollywood. The photo exhibit is part of the Hispanic Month, and from September 1st to October 15th we have forty-five glorious days to celebrate it. In Los Angeles, the Hispanic Month is also being addressed as Latino Heritage Month LA. This is a month where the people from Los Angeles get together to celebrate their traditions and culture with other Angelenos along with the people around the world who come to LA during this time as well.

As I now celebrate Halloween in America, going out and dressing up, I don’t forget about “el Dia de los Muertos”, although I am not in Mexico I have brought the celebration back home, I pray for my great grandparents and other late family members and friends. I try to incorporate both cultures in my life and I have realized that I am creating my own traditions with combining