I.

II.

Pre Investigation
From my prior knowledge I know that Cinco
de Mayo means the fifth of May and that
some people know it as the independence
day of Mexico.
1. What is Cinco de Mayo?
- Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the fifth of May.
2. What does it celebrate?
- Cinco de Mayo celebrates the death of peoples ancestors.
3. Who celebrates Cinco de Mayo?
- Latin American countries like Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo.
4. How is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?
- People have festivals, eat special foods, play music, and dress up in
costumes representing the dead.
5. List everything else you know about this holiday (prior to doing your research).
- I knew that they dressed up and celebrated, I also knew what day it
was on, and what country it took place in.

III. Research

a) History Hunters
1.
Benito Juarez - The First Mexican President.
Porfirio Diaz Mexican soldier and politician, who served seven terms as
President of Mexico; a total of three and a half decades from 1876 to 1911.
Ignacio Zaragoza A young and brave General, who fortified the City of
Puebla and repelled the French invaders.
Napoleon III The French Army/country Leader, nephew of Napoleon
Bonaparte.
Maximilian From Hapsburg and Mexicos emperor in 1864.
2.
What role did each of these people play?
- Porfio was the president of Mexico after Maximilian, Bonepart was
the president before Maximilian, and Benito was the first Mexican
president.
3.
What is the biggest misconception about Cinco de Mayo?
- Everyone thinks its their independence day.
4.
What caused the conflict that led to the Battle of Puebla?
- The Mexicans were in debt to many European countries and they didnt
want to wait any longer. So they invaded.
5. Explain what happened at the Battle of Puebla.
- Mexico was invaded by many well trained soldiers and they were
outnumbered and out trained but somehow they won the battle and slowed
the advance.
6. How long did the conflict last and in what year did it end?
- From 1862 to 1867, so five to six years.

7. What was the end result of the conflict?

- The French withdrew from Mexico and President Juarez returned to
power.
b) Festive Foods
1.
Explain what the following foods are:
Mole a sauce commonly made in Mexico.
Chipotle Smoke dried jalapeo.
Chilaquiles the traditional Mexican dish.
Enchilada a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with chili sauce.
2.
Name and describe three typical foods served at Cinco de Mayo
celebrations:
3.
Describe a traditional tortilla: The traditional tortilla is made with
wheat flour and is soft and thin.
4.
What is recommended in terms of eating while traveling: burrito is
recommended.
5.
What food item accompanies almost every meal: The tortilla
accompanies almost all meals.
6.
What the typical Mexicans meal schedule is like: Their schedule is
a light breakfast, a heavy lunch, a main meal eaten around 2-4 P.M., and
dinner.
7.
What Mexican foods do we eat in the U.S. today: Tacos,
guacamole, enchiladas, rice, and burritos.
c) Modern Music and Moves
1.
What are some common topics in Mexican songs?
- Common topics are love, common life, and Mexican heroes.
2.
What is Mariachi music?
- Folk music that originated in western Mexico.
3.
What kind of instruments are used in Mariachi music?
- Violins, trumpets, and guitars.
4.
Identify at least two modern-day Mariachi groups and give a few
details about each one: Two groups are the band Reyna da Los Angeles
and they are a female band featured on Companeras. The band Mariachi
Campanas de America, they are under the lead of Juan Ortiz.
5.
What is Tejano music and why is it so popular?
- It is country, blues, rhythm, and Latin styles combined.
d) Fascinating Facts
1.
Other than the Battle of Puebla, what three things does Cinco de
Mayo celebrate?
- It celebrates Mexicos independence, pride of the Mexican victory, and
Mexican history, heritage and culture.
2.
What was France's excuse for invading Mexico?
- Frances excuse was that they came back to get the money Mexico
owed them, but when they didnt have the money to repay them, they
invaded.
3.
Why doesnt the whole country celebrate the Cinco de Mayo?

Not everyone celebrates because it doesnt apply to all the cities.

4.
How many Mexican soldiers and French soldiers were involved in
the Battle of Puebla?
- There were 2000 Mexican soldiers and 6000 French soldiers involved.
5.
Why was the initial victory at Puebla important in Mexican
history?
- It is important because Mexico was heavily outnumbered and out
gunned but somehow they still were able to defeat the French in the
battle, so it shows a sense of victory, pride, and accomplishment.
e) Typical Traditions
1.
What can you expect to see in a Cinco de Mayo parade?
- You can expect costumes, dancing, lots of people, and floats in a Cinco
de Mayo parade.
2.
Other than parades, what other activities are common for a Cinco
de Mayo celebration?
- Dancing and singing, dressing up in costumes, and eating food are
common. (feasts and festivals)
3.
Describe the typical costume for Cinco de Mayo: It is very colorful
and has ribbon on it.
4.
Why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated on a much larger scale in the
U.S.?
- It is much larger because it is Mexicos largest American celebrated
holiday and it shows pride for the many Mexican American citizens
whom have moved to the U.S.
5.
Name and describe two popular decoration made for this holiday:
Two decorations that are common for this holiday are cacti and flags.

III Article
In doing this research I learned many things about Cinco de Mayo, I as well as many
others confused it with their independence day at times. I also sometimes get the traditions of
Cinco de Mayo and Dia de Muertos missed up. I get them Mixed up because they are both
celebrated in Mexico and you do some of the similar ways. They are celebrated with colorful and
elaborate costumes as well as festivals and parades. The festive foods are also very similar
because people make special Spanish dishes for these days. On Cinco de Mayo people make

traditional foods like tortillas, enchaladas, chipotle, and Chilaquiles. We also eat many of the
foods eaten in Mexico on this day in the U.S.