Time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo; time for "good neighbors working together when faced with common challenge" - Obama

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Obama marks Mexico's Cinco de Mayo holiday

Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican army's victory over the French army on May 5, 1862. The holiday has grown in popularity in the United States as an affirmation of not only its Mexican but its Latin American minorities.

President Barack Obama observed Mexico's Cinco de Mayo holiday a day early by hailing the close cooperation between the two countries in the face of swine flu, economic crisis and a drug war.

"Even as we mark this joyous and festive occasion, we do so mindful of the fact that this is a difficult time for Mexico," Obama said on Monday at a White House event. "The pain our global economic downturn has inflicted has only been deepened by the outbreak of the H1N1 flu, as well as the drug-related violence that has robbed so many of their future," he said. "One thing we know: good neighbors work together when faced with common challenge. And that's why we're working closely with the Mexican government to identify and treat illnesses that are caused by this new flu strain."

Culture, history come to life at Cinco de Mayo celebration

As part of the festivities, there were re-enactments of the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which outnumbered Mexican forces defeated the French army. Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over French imperialism. It is often confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is in September.

Organizers expect about 50,000 people to attend today and say the attendance is typical for years when Cinco de Mayo, which translates as Fifth of May, does not fall on a weekend. Some other Cinco de Mayo events, including ones in Mexico City and Atlanta, were canceled because of concerns over the swine flu outbreak. But several people at San Diego's celebration said sickness was far from their minds.

“I have been concerned about swine flu, but not today,” said Will Bakeman, 24, a Vista resident who brought his 4-year-old daughter, Elyza. “I want to live my life.” Seated at a nearby picnic bench, Laura Magaña listened to a band play as she chatted with friends. Magaña, 32, who moved to the United States 16 years ago from Guadalajara, Mexico, said she has been attending Old Town's party every year since.

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Photos courtesy of AFP, Nelvin C. Cepeda / Union-Tribune, Benjamin Brink / The Oregonian / 2008, Reuters, Sunil, Phillip6, Official White House Photographer / Wikipedia Commons, and Elizabeth R. Mitchell

Original Source: AFP, New America Media, and About.com

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