After doing a little research, I’ve discovered that Cinco de
Mayo is a holiday celebrated possibly more in the United States than in Mexico,
its country of origin. Cinco de Mayo began as the celebration of a battle- it
commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in
1862. This victory was particularly important in the Franco-Mexican war because
it was an impossible feat as the Mexicans won against a much better equipped
army.
In the United States, it is often utilized by Mexican
Americans as a celebration of Mexican culture, including festivals and parades
in some cities. In typical Center of Math fashion, we will use this opportunity to feature a prominent Mexican mathematician, Fray Diego Rodriguez!
