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CINCO DE MAYO LESSON
Directions:
Print the the reading
comprehension passage and questions (see
below).
Students should read the story silently,
then answer the questions about the story that follow. Discuss the
answers to the questions with the students.
Excerpt from passage
“Cinco de Mayo” means “fifth of May” in Spanish. On May 5th each year, Mexicans as well as many people in the United States, celebrate a holiday to remember an important battle for independence in Mexico. The battle, known as the Battle of Puebla, took place on May 5, 1862. At the time, French troops occupied Mexico. They had been sent there by Napoleon five months earlier, supposedly to collect money that Mexico owed to France. However, it seemed that the real reason France had invaded Mexico was to take over the territory.
Many people mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. However, that is not the case. Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 to commemorate Mexican Independence from Spain. Mexico became independent decades before the Battle of Puebla. By Cinco de Mayo, 1862, Mexico was already an independent country, now facing occupation by another enemy.
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