Cinco de Mayo : Yesterday and Today

The Cinco de Mayo (fifth of May) is one of the most celebrated days in the Mexican calendar. Using historical sources & the photographic record of a contemporary reenactment, children learn what the holiday commemorates & what it means today. In the mid-19th century Mexico was in a crisis. Using the pretext that Mexico was not paying off its debt to European powers, the French emperor Napoleon III decided to invade & annex the country. The Mexicans fought back & eventually defeated the French. One of the decisive battles took place on the fifth of May. As a result, this day has become a symbol of Mexican pride & independence & it continues to be celebrated wherever Mexicans live. Illustrations.Urrutia, Maria Cristina is the author of 'Cinco de Mayo : Yesterday and Today', published 2006 under ISBN 9781422354643 and ISBN 1422354644.