Some facts about Cinco de Mayo you might not have been aware of
Think you know a lot about Cinco de Mayo?
The annual event, which originated in Mexico and also is celebrated all over the United States, is here, and plenty will be partying like it's 1999 (even if it's actually May 5).
More: Cinco de Mayo festival kicks off in Gadsden
More: Cook with chili peppers for Cinco de Mayo
But how well do people actually know the holiday? Here are some facts about Cinco de Mayo you might not have been aware of.
Not What You Think
One of the most common beliefs among most people is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. It's not — in fact, it's not even a federal holiday in Mexico.
The actual Independence Day for Mexico is Sept. 16. So, then, what is Cinco de Mayo?
The day is celebrated to commemorate a victory by Mexico over the invading French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mexico actually had been an independent nation since 1810.
The event's significance is that it was a morale-boosting military win for an undermanned, poorly supplied underdog against a world power and would-be conqueror.
Helping Hand
Cinco de Mayo originated in Mexico, but how did it get so popular in the United States?
Other than the obvious "It's an excuse to drink and party," it actually took a while after the Battle of Puebla before it fully expanded into the U.S.
According to studyspanish.com, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 instituted his "Good Neighbor" policy encouraging relations between the U.S. and Latin America.
As Cinco de Mayo celebrations became more prominent in the U.S., beer companies jumped on board, targeting Spanish-speaking populations beginning in the 1970s. This helped give a big charge to the holiday's popularity.
Unique Traditions
Some places celebrate Cinco de Mayo in, um, different ways.
According to tastemade.com and livescience.com, Chandler, Arizona, has the traditional parades, dancing and food — but it also tosses Chihuahuas into the mix.
Among the activities the tiny dogs take part in each year are races, with a cash prize to the owner of the winner, and a beauty pageant involving around 150 of the animals.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, the holiday is celebrated in a way you'd probably never see anywhere else — "skydiving boogie," which involves a large gathering of skydivers performing aerial acrobatics and planes putting on air shows.
Official Food
Since Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico and its culture, a lot of folks think the official dish of the holiday would be a popular food that originated there — like tacos, burritos or guacamole, similar to candy for Halloween or turkey for Thanksgiving.
However, it's none of the above. According topurewow.com, the official food of Cinco de Mayo is the lesser-known mole poblano.
A dark brown sauce made with Mexican chocolate and a large variety of spices, mole poblano is noted for its bold flavor and texture.
And fittingly, mole poblano and Cinco de Mayo both originated in the same place – Puebla.
Consumption
People drink and eat on Cinco de Mayo, generally more so than on non-holidays.
But how much of each is done every May 5? A lot, to put it lightly.
According to parade.com, Americans drink, on average, 3.5 alcoholic beverages per day on Cinco de Mayo. (Margaritas of course are popular.)
In addition, it's estimated that, in the U.S., a total of 80 million pounds of avocados have been consumed on the holiday since it began.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Cinco de Mayo is much more than a holiday excuse for people to party
