CINCO DE MAYO
In America and Mexico, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a special day. It celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This battle was a big win in the war against the French. Today, Cinco de Mayo is more about celebrating Mexican culture than victory in battle. On May 5, in cities around the country, there are street parties, parades, mariachi music and more. Some people consider Cinco de Mayo a celebration of Mexican independence, but that is inaccurate. Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1810 and celebrates it’s independence on Sept. 16.
MOTHER’S DAY
Mother’s Day is a time to say thanks to your mom, grandma or any female who is like a mother to you. We have Anna Jarvis to thank for the holiday. Anna’s mom was very sick and Anna looked after her. When Anna’s mom died, Anna decided to start a National Mother’s Day. She and her friends wrote letters and campaigned for the holiday. And on May 10, 1908 the first Mother’s Day was celebrated. At first it was a religious celebration that happened every second Sunday in May. It was not until 1914 that Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day a national day to honor moms.
MEMORIAL DAY
Throughout history people honored their ancestors by taking care of their graves and burial sites. In America’s early history, people would usually do this late in the summer and even centered it around family reunions and picnics. After the Civil War, in 1868, Decoration Day was established. People would go out and decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the war. It was later called Memorial Day. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor soldiers who died in all American Wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was officially made a national holiday. It always falls on the last Monday in May.
