Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's victory against the French in 1862. It started as a small event in some of Mexico's larger cities, but soon became a tradition in the United States as the Mexican community began to flock to American cities. The Chicano Movement grew the popularity of Cinco de Mayo: they encouraged the holiday to highlight the struggles their communities were facing. Cinco de Mayo celebrations eventually made their way to Fruitvale, including an extravagant festival along International Blvd. The event has since moved near the BART station, and is still a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the thrills of Mexican culture.