Cinco de Mayo Trivia

Nacho Ordinary Celebration

By Paula Green

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Every May 5, we celebrate this vibrant commemoration that showcases Mexico's rich cultural heritage. One misconception is that it is a celebration of Mexican Independence. It’s not—that date is actually September 16, 1810.

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the date of the Mexican Army’s May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The Mexican Army was largely outnumbered and poorly supplied, with outdated guns. Yet, as few as 2,000 Mexican soldiers, some of whom hid behind tall cactus plants, defeated 6,000 French soldiers during the battle, which lasted from daybreak to early evening.

While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor celebration in Mexico, it has become a big deal in the United States. Several major U.S. cities highlight Mexican American culture on this special day. Los Angeles hosts the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the world, called Fiesta Broadway. It is a massive street festival in downtown LA, and features live Mariachi music, dancing, and vendors. San Antonio, Denver, New York, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. also hold major events. Some of these cities even host chihuahua races!

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped popularize the holiday through his "Good Neighbor" policy, which aimed to improve relations with Latin American countries. The holiday grew significantly in the 1980s through marketing by beer companies, focusing on margaritas and Mexican food.

Holy guacamole, Americans love their green dip! Over 80 million pounds of avocados are purchased in the U.S. for Cinco de Mayo. Other popular festive foods include tacos (carne asada, carnitas, fish), elote (grilled street corn), enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas. These are frequently paired with margaritas, churros, and flan for a complete celebration.

As tasty as all these Mexican dishes are, there is one meal that stands above the rest. The holiday's most beloved dish is mole poblano, which originated in Puebla. Mole poblano is a sauce with dozens of ingredients, including chili peppers and chocolate, served over chicken. 

Since we have delved into some historical information about Cinco de Mayo, we must now test your knowledge of Mexican American culture. Get set to don those sombreros because it’s time to get a little trivial.

1. What do you call the delightful Mexican dessert with fried dough pastry coated in cinnamon-sugar?

2. This Mexican/American actress is famous for her roles in Frida, Desperado, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

3. What is the name of the cheese-filled tortilla that is folded and grilled?

4. He is a Mexican American musician and guitarist who rose to prominence with “Black Magic Woman,” and “Evil Ways.”

5. In this Mexican dish, steak, chicken, or shrimp is served on a sizzling skillet, accompanied by seared onions and peppers, with soft tortillas.

6. Name the fast-talking and quick-moving Mexican Looney Tunes character.

7. This Mexican dish is a filling of meat, beans, or other ingredients, wrapped in a large, soft flour tortilla.

8. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short star in this 1986 Mexican-themed comedy film.

9. This retired Mexican American professional boxer won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and holds world titles in six weight classes.

10. A margarita is made with Triple Sec, lime juice, and one additional type of alcohol.  

11. Set in a poverty-stricken small town in Mexico, this 1960 film starred Yul Brenner, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, and James Coburn.

12. What are the three colors in the Mexican flag?

13. This classic Mexican folk song gained international recognition after Richie Valens’ rock n’ roll version in 1958.

14. He starred in an ABC sitcom named after himself (2002-2007). His stand-up comedy examines Mexican American culture.

15. Name of the game that involves hitting a decorated paper container filled with candy or toys with a stick while blindfolded?

Answers: 1. churro 2. Salma Hayek 3. quesadilla 4. Carlos Santana 5. fajitas 6. Speedy Gonzalez 7. burrito 8. Three Amigos 9. Oscar De La Hoya 10. tequila 11. The Magnificent Seven 12. green, white and red 13. “La Bamba” 14. George Lopez 15. piñata

Sources: www.history.com/articles/cinco-de-mayo, strommeninc.com/who-are-the-20-most-famous-people-from-mexico/, funtrivia.com, www.letstraveltomexico.com/famous-mexican-songs/, easyfamilyfun.com/cinco-de-mayo-trivia-questions/