Although the French eventually did conquer the country and ruled for four more years, the day is celebrated as symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is regionally celebrated, but is not a national holiday. For instance, Pablo Audelo, manager of Azteca Restaurant in Dover, said that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in his native Oaxaca, a city in southeast Mexico that served as an Aztec garrison post until the Spanish conquered it in 1521. Although Audelo moved here 17 years ago, he still travels home to see family and on business two or three times a year. They close the schools, and the kids do something to celebrate.
Families get together.
Sometimes they have military parades. But it s not Mexican Independence Day. He also said there are no Cinco de Mayo day parades or community festivals in Morris County, unlike those organized by Mexican-Americans in big cities like San Francisco. Down in Passaic or Paterson or New York, they might have Cinco de Mayo festivals. But I don t think around here.