Cinco de Mayo is often confused with Mexican Independence Day, but it actually commemorates a significant battle during the Franco-Mexican War that took place in a town called Puebla. The Mexican Army, who were considered the underdogs, ended up overtaking the French and came out victorious. Mexican Independence Day, on the other hand, actually occurred on September 16, 1810—about 50 years earlier.
2. The Mexican Army Beat Crazy Odds
The Mexican Army was largely outnumbered and poorly supplied. In fact, they were known as a rag-tag army and only had outdated guns at their disposal. And yet, as little 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.
3. The General Was Honored in a Super Special Way
Ignacio Zaragoza was the Mexican general who led the army that defeated the French on May 5, 1862. He was born in what’s now Goliad in southern Texas and was only 33 years old when he led his troops to victory. Puebla was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza in his honor.
A few weeks after the Battle of Puebla, Americans and Latinos in California heard about the valiant efforts of Mexican soldiers through newspaper reports. Residents in the state were so excited, they celebrated with parades of people dressed in Civil War uniforms. And in Northern California, one town partied with drinks, food and banquets—it was most likely the first Cinco de Mayo fiesta in the United States!
CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES.
5. FDR Helped Commercialize Cinco de Mayo
Although it was celebrated in the United States just weeks after the Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo wasn’t officially recognized in America until 1933. That’s when President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped create the “Good Neighbor Policy” which aimed to establish positive exchanges and relationships with our Latin American neighbors.
1.- Born in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca. The town is located on a mountain range, now known as the Sierra de Juárez.
2.- His parents were Marcelino Juárez and Brígida García. They died when Benito was three years old. 3.- He was left in the care of his sisters Josefa and Rosa and his uncle Bernardino.
4.- When he arrived in the capital of Oaxaca he only spoke Zapotec.
5.- He began to work in domestic chores in the house of the Maza’s family. His salary was two real.
For each one of us, Women’s Day celebration may differ. Some may not even celebrate this day. Not because they don’t want to, but because they are women, who don’t just live for themselves, they live for their loved ones too.
Woman! You have been inspiring, caring, loving, working, sacrificing and doing so much for the sake of others. For all that you do, you deserve much more than this day which salutes your spirit, which demands equal rights and women empowerment, which reminds that violence is no weapon for a tender soul. You deserve your ‘me’ time. Break free from the boundaries; let the kitchen and office miss you. Be with your own self and do something that pleases your heart. Still thinking of what to do? Here are 5 ‘must do’ recommendations for you:
Pamper yourself with shopping and spaDon’t bother about the price tags. If you love and wish to shop something, drop it in your cart. Not because it’s your day today but because you deserve it. Unwind and get pampered by spending your day at the salon. Ease out your stress with spa therapies. Undergo a makeover, take a haircut, and try a hair spa or any ritual at the salon that pleases you.
Dine with your loved onesGo dining at the best places in town with the ones you love. Gorge on something delicious without counting calories and caring about the bills. Treat yourself to a fancy dinner, sip soothing beverages and make good memories with your loved ones.
Follow your dream/passion – Join a hobby classIndulge in your hobbies that give you joy and peace of mind. Whether you love painting, cooking, swimming or just anything that you always wanted to pursue. Join a hobby class and give a boost to your talent.
Go for a health check-upWhat better than gifting yourself good health? Take out some time to care for your body, get it examined and stay rest assured by opting for a health insurance, overcome your health-blocks, if any and embrace a healthy life.
February fluctuates between having 28 and 29 days per year.
The 29th day only occurs every 4 years during leap years.
The length of February was finalized when Julius Caesar remade the Roman calendar and assigned the month 28 days and 29 days. In 713 B.C., February was officially added to the Roman calendar.
If you were born in February, your birthstone is an amethyst and your flower is a primrose.
The western zodiac signs in February are Aquarius which is until February 19th, and Pisces, which is until February 20th.
Over time, the length of February kept changing. At one point, it had as little as 23 days
There are two different dates when winter could be said to begin, depending on whether we are referring to the Meteorological or Astronomical winter.
Astronomical winter is defined by the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and begins on the winter solstice, which falls on 21 or 22 December.
However, when recording and comparing climate data, it is important to have set dates that can be compared and so for this reason a fixed date of 1 December is used to mark the start of the meteorological winter.
2. Earth is closest to the Sun in winter
You might be surprised to know that in the northern hemisphere the Earth is closest to the Sun during winter.
Around 3 January, the Earth reaches perihelion (peri meaning ‘near’ and helion meaning ‘sun’) and the Earth is 3.1 million miles closer to the Sun than at aphelion (around 5 July when the Earth is furthest from the Sun).
Earth’s distance from the Sun is not what causes the seasons but it does affect the length of them. Around perihelion, the Earth is moving around 1 kilometre per second faster than at aphelion which results in winter being 5 days shorter than summer.
3. The coldest temperature recorded in winter
The coldest temperature ever recorded during a UK winter was -27.2 °C, which has been recorded 3 times. It was twice recorded in the village of Braemar, on 11 February 1895 and again on 10 January 1982, and once in Altnaharra on 30 December 1995. Both sites are in the Scottish Highlands.
4. The winter of 1963
The winter of 1963 is one of the coldest on record and the coldest since 1740. Temperatures consistently reached lower than – 20 °C with blizzards, snowdrifts and even the sea freezing around the coast.
The severe cold began just before Christmas in 1962 as a high pressure system sat to the northeast of the UK for much of the winter, dragging cold polar winds over the UK.
On 29 and 30 December, a blizzard struck the UK with snowdrifts up to 6 metres deep. Snow continued to fall frequently and until early March 1963, much of the UK remained covered in snow.
5. The roots of winter
The word winter comes from the Germanic wintar which in turn is derived from the root wed meaning ‘wet’ or water’, and so signifies a wet season.
In Anglo-Saxon cultures, years were counted by the winters, so a person could be said to be ‘2 winters old.’ The first day of winter was also of symbolic importance named Vetrardag and falling comparatively early in the year between 10 and 16 October.
“Día de los Reyes” is a significant holiday celebration across Latin America. Known formally as the Feast of the Epiphany, “Día de los Reyes” commemorates the visit of the three kings or the Magi to Baby Jesus, thereby representing Christ’s physical revelation to the gentiles. The celebration is particularly important in Latin America and in some cases takes on greater importance than Christmas. Here are Six Facts About Three King’s Day in Latin America.
“Día de los Reyes” (Google)
1. Bigger Than Santa: In much of Latin America Día de los Reyes or Día de los Reyes Magos is celebrated in particular by children who receive gifts from the three Magi. Often, this tradition is more significant than Santa Claus: children usually write a letter to the Kings, naming the gifts they would like. On the night of January 5th, children leave one of their shoes outside the door along with grass and water for the camels. The next day, children wake up to numerous gifts left by the three kings or the “reyes magos”.
On the night of January 5th, children leave one of their shoes outside the door along with grass and water for the camels. (Google)
2. Edible Wreaths: In Spain and Mexico, one of the most important elements of “Día de los Reyes” is the “Rosca de Reyes”, or the Wreath of the Kings. A large, oval-shaped cake filled with sweetened dried fruit, the Kings Cake symbolizes a crown. A small white figurine representing Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake, commemorating the hiding of Jesus from Herod. Whoever gets the slice with the figurine has to host a party on February 2nd or “Día de la Candelaria” (specifically in Mexico, the family gets together on “Día de la Candelaria” for a tamale dinner, the person who found the baby Jesus figurine in the rosca has to buy the tamales).
Rosca de Reyes (Google)
3. Lima Discovered: Peru’s capital Lima was originally called Ciudad de los Reyes: legend has it that explorer Francisco Pizarro named it so because he discovered the ideal site for the city on January 6th.
Día de Reyes in Lima Perú (Google)
4. Parades And Parties: Across Latin America and the United States, Latinos celebrate Día de Los Reyes in style with huge parades and celebrations thrown to commemorate the day. In Harlem, New York, a huge parade with giant puppets of the kings marks the day. Meanwhile in California, Disney California Adventure holds a parade. Across Latin America, people host lavish parties to celebrate the coming of the three kings.
Día de los Reyes parade in Madrid, Spain (Google)
5. Dates: Epiphany is the last day in the Christian season of Christmas. In Western churches, it is celebrated on January 6. It is the 12th day of Christmas.
The Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Google)
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