Grab yourself a taco and put on your sombrero – because today is Cinco de Mayo!

With a name that loosely means the “5th of May” in Spanish, Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico and it’s certainly celebrated with enthusiasm in the United States as well.

You may know it as a day full of dancing, drinking and everything else that makes for a great fiesta… but there’s more to this holiday than an endless pitcher of margaritas (that being said, we do have a great recipe).

Here are some fun facts about Cinco de Mayo:

1. Contrary to what many believe, it is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day. It’s actually the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, which took place between the Mexicans and the French in 1862.

2. The biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world takes place in Los Angeles. It’s called Fiesta Broadway and it’s a huge street party – think parades, food, music and dancing – attended by more than 500,000 people.

3. American consume an estimated 70 million pounds of avocado on Cinco De Mayo. Check out our tasty recipe for guacamole!

4. Cinco de Mayo is only one of more than 365 festivals that the Mexican community celebrates each year.

5. In Chandler, Arizona, the celebrations include Chihuahua dog races and pageants. Each year, they crown a King and Queen of the Chihuahuas.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!