The Chicano Movement was a civil rights movement that aimed to equalise the standing of Mexican Americans in the society. In the 1960s and 1970s, activists embraced the Cinco de Mayo tradition with parades and protests as they began seeing parallels between their underdog victory against France and the poor treatment they received from racists in the United States. Although the movement dissipated somewhat in the 1980s, the Cinco de Mayo tradition continued to live on, especially as beer brands such as Corona adapted it into their marketing strategies. 

There’s a thriving community of Latinos in Los Angeles, so it’s perhaps not surprising that they usually host the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the United States every year. (Although this year is probably going to be different.) 

Tequila is a huge part of Cinco de Mayo but it’s also about the guac. According to the California Avocado Commission, in 2017, Americans consumed 87.3 million pounds of avocados in just one day — the fifth of May. 

Mole de poblano and chiles en nogada are more traditional foods to eat if you’re looking for an authentic celebration. Mole sauce is a traditional marinade you can smother over chicken or turkey that makes for a delicious meal. Meanwhile, chiles en nogada is a stuffed pepper dish that mixes chillies, nuts, pomegranate seeds, and spices to create a dish that incorporates colours of the Mexican flag.