Happy Cinco de Mayo! In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we want to challenge you with a fun game of trivia. Try your best to answer these ten questions, then see how many you got right below.
- True or False - Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day
- True or False - Cinco de mayo celebrations in Mexico are very somber, to acknowledge the lives lost in the Battle of Puebla.
- How long did the Battle of Puebla last?
- 1 day
- 3 days
- 1 week
- 2 hours
- True or False - Cinco de Mayo is only celebrated in the United States and Mexico.
- True or False - Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico
- Cinco de Mayo is also a celebration of Mexican culture, especially food. How many pounds of avocados are purchased each year for Cinco de Mayo?
- 100 million
- 22 million
- 65 million
- 87 million
- What is the “official” dish of Cinco de Mayo?
- Tacos
- Enchiladas
- Mole Poblano
- Rice and beans
- What colors are traditionally associated with Cinco de Mayo?
- Red, Green, and White
- Orange, Red, and Yellow
- Green, Yellow, and White
- When did Cinco de Mayo celebrations become popular in the United States?
- 1920
- 1870
- 1933
- 1960
- True or False - Cinco de Mayo has always been a “drinking holiday”
- FALSE - Mexican Independence Day is on September 16. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5,1862. While this battle was not a major strategic win in the war, it bolstered the spirit of freedom in Mexican people in their battle for independence.
- FALSE - While historical reenactments of the battle are held in Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is a happy holiday! Parades, festivals, food and music are critical to celebrations in Puebla, and across the country.
- 1 day. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash. In 1867—thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War—France finally withdrew.
- FALSE - While Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican freedom and culture, the holiday has international roots. Canada, Australia, the Cayman Islands, and Malta are just a few countries that celebrate.
- FALSE - While Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated, it isn’t considered a national holiday in Mexico. However, all public schools are closed, and it is considered an official holiday in Puebla, the state where the Battle of Puebla took place, and the neighboring state of Veracruz.
- 87 million - There are more avocados purchased for Cinco de Mayo than any other time of the year.
- Mole Poblano - Many American forms of Mexican food are Americanized - foods like tacos, burritos, and nachos aren’t traditionally Mexican, but fall under the category of Tex-Mex and are more Mexican-American inventions. Mole Poblano is known for its distinct thick and savory chile and chocolate sauce, and its origins are from the state of Puebla.
- Red, Green, and White - Red, green and white are the colors of the Mexican flag, and are often associated with Cinco de Mayo. Green represents hope and victory, white represents unity, and red pays tribute to the national heroes who have fought for Mexico over the years.
- 1933 - President Roosevelt helped popularize Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. with his 1933 Good Neighbor Policy, which he enacted to improve relations with Central and South American countries. However, Mexican-American activists in the 1960s, known as the Chicano Movement, raised more awareness for the holiday as a celebration of Mexican history and identity.
- FALSE - Cinco de Mayo didn’t become a drinking holiday until the 1980s, when beer companies began marketing campaigns for Spanish-speaking populations. Beer and tequila are both very popular during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and in 2016, more beer was purchased on Cinco de Mayo than it was on St. Patrick’s Day. Americans also drink more tequila than any other country.
We hoped you had fun playing trivia! Learn anything new about Cinco de Mayo? Share these fun facts with a friend or loved one!
Alison Robles is a Part-Time Junior Clerk at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she is currently pursuing an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.