International Student & Scholar Services is pleased to partner with WHISK and students in the Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging program at SJSU. This blog was written by senior Nutrition students Charles Chang, Annie Chen, Joanna Chen, and Soo Jung Shin.

Are you interested in a Cinco de Mayo cooking demonstration? Join WHISK and SJSU Faculty in Residence on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM (PT) and learn how to make watermelon agua fresca, aguachile, and a vegan ceviche! Click here to join.

History: What is Cinco De Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo means fifth of May in Spanish language, literally. This day is celebrated annually in the United States. One popular misconception is that

Cinco de Mayo Celebration Photo – Kevork Djansezian/AP

this holiday is Mexican Independence Day; however, it is not! The Mexican Independence day is on September 10, 1810. Cinco De Mayo observes and celebrates the victory of the Mexican army over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. There are differences as to how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in US and in Mexico. Although this is a small holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States across the nation, with celebrations and parades in places with large populations of people of Mexican heritage. So, what happened at the city of Puebla, Mexico? Continue Reading…