UCBA Spanish Class Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Professor Angel Anorga recently celebrated Cinco de Mayo with his UCBA Spanish class. Many people, including a few UCBA students, falsely believe Cinco de Mayo to be Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Battle of Puebla.

The Spanish students celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday and Thursday during their class's time. Professor Anorga did not celebrate the holiday on May 5th because the date took place on a Saturday this year.

The restaurant El Establo made special accommodations for Professor Anorga's Spanish students. The restaurant opened at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 7 p.m. for his students. They also made three menu choices for the students to choose from.

El Establo gave the students who attended 20% off of their meal as well as a free tamale for a present. These discounts assisted the students and made the event extremely affordable. All students were able to experience a typical Hispanic meal.

Professor Anorga's goal when planning to celebrate this holiday was not simply an excuse to entertain his students. Professor Anorga wanted to ensure that his students fully understood why people celebrate this holiday.

Additionally, all of Professor Anorga's students were able to interact with people who speak Spanish fluently. So the students could practice the language and experience the culture. El Establo's staff also spoke to the students in Spanish.

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the date of Mexican independence. The true Mexican Independence Day is on September 16. Cinco de Mayo marks the date of the Battle of Puebla which was fought between the Mexicans and the French.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated because the French Army was thought to have an advantage against the Mexican Army. However, the Mexican Army was victorious over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

The Mexican Army was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. This victory is celebrated because the Mexican Army was so outnumbered by the better-equipped French Army, and since the Battle of Puebla no country in North America has been invaded by a European force.