Cinco de Mayo at Slots Capital!

Get your Sombrero and join the Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

People all around the country mark the occasion of fifth of May with parades, parties, mariachi music, and traditional foods like tacos, guacamole and burritos. In 2024, Cinco de Mayo will be observed on a Sunday in Mexico, the United States and in other parts of the world by thousands of people.

One must be clear; Cinco de Mayo is not the independence of Mexico. It actually celebrates a battle that happened more than 160 years ago. It marks the victory of the Mexican force victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in May 5, 1862.

Even though Cinco de Mayo is originally a Mexican holiday, it is considered rather minor when compared to other holidays like their actual Independence Day, Christmas, and the popular Day of the Dead.

On the other hand, Americans celebrate this date as a commemoration of Mexican culture, particularly in areas with a large population of mexican american heritage.

The impact of Cinco de Mayo in popular culture has been huge, with TV shows, movies, songs and even video games and online slots featuring their own depictions of this holiday.

Some Cinco de Mayo History

Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important battle: In 1861, Mexico was in financial trouble. The newly-elected president, Benito Juárez, was forced to default on debt payments to European countries to save its government and its people.

France, Britain, and Spain immediately sent naval forces to the city of Veracruz. While the latter 2 came to a truce with Mexico, Napoleon III commanded his army to extend the French Empire into Mexican territory.

Then, on May 5, around 6,000 French soldiers marched to storm the town of Puebla into submission. President Juárez then rounded up a force of 2,000 men and set them into battle. When the French lost around 500 soldiers, compared to less than 100 Mexican troops, they finally retreated.

This victorious battle represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican people. The French troops finally withdrew from Mexico in 1867.

How It Gained Popularity

Celebrations for Cinco de Mayo began in California, where they have been observed annually ever since 1863. It wasn’t until more than 100 years later, in the 1980’s, that the holiday gained nationwide popularity - thanks in part to advertising campaigns for beer!

In the end, the battle of 1862 not only impacted Mexico and its residents, but also had a role in the fate of the Union; since the French were supporting the Confederate army at the same time when American civil war was happening. Meaning both Mexicans and the Union had a common enemy.

The eventual victory by the Mexican army slowed down French support of the Confederates in the North, which helped the Union establish themselves. This explains how Mexicans felt even more connected in the southern states of the country.

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated mainly in Puebla, where the Mexican’s unlikely victory occurred, and in other main cities of the country. Parades, speeches and battle reenactments are seen all around the city.

More popular in the US than in Mexico?

 In the mid-20th century, Cinco de Mayo became a way to encourage pride among Mexican immigrants and preserve their heritage. Today, the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture in areas with a bigger Mexican-American population.

As the holiday grew in popularity, other meanings were attached to it by American citizens thanks to the time of year in which the holiday falls. Early May also represents the start of spring in most American states. With Cinco de Mayo, many Americans find the perfect reason to go outside to celebrate in the sunshine with Mexican cuisine, warm weather, and flowers blooming.

Cinco de Mayo Activities

 In the US, many people display Cinco de Mayo banners. School districts hold special events to educate students about the Cinco de Mayo history and the cultural significance of the holiday, and others might just enjoy the celebrations and parades, which include traditional music and regional dancing. The colors of the Mexican flag often appear in costumes and decorations, and many people decorate their homes with balloons, streamers, and flowers.

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not observed as a national holiday. However, all public schools and offices are closed across the country on that day. In Puebla, where it’s most celebrated, parades, meals, and reenactments of the battle are held across the city.

Others enjoy staying at home and playing online slots with a Cinco de Mayo theme. At Slots Capital, we have a handful of those, and players enjoy the Mexican flair comfortably from home.

Cinco de Mayo traditional food

Cinco de Mayo is not only tacos and margaritas. In 2010, the traditional food of Mexico was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Many might picture nachos with jalapeños and refried beans when referring to the holiday, yet some of the popular dishes from Puebla are way different. They include the following:

1. Mole Poblano: It is a thick and dark sauce made from fruits, nuts, chilis, seeds, and, surprisingly, Mexican chocolate. usually served over meat. The combo of sweet yet spicy perfectly fits to meat.

2. Chalupas: This famous Poblano food is fried tortillas topped with salsa, shredded meat, cheese, and salsa.

3. Chiles en Nogada: This iconic dish is made up of the colors of the Mexican flag: green, white and red. Chiles en Nogada are stuffed peppers topped with walnut-based sauce, parsley and pomegranate.

It’s time to give Taco Bell a rest and try out a traditional Mexican recipe. Cook it on your own, or go to a local Mexican restaurant. A full belly is always a win!

Other celebrations in May around the world

While Cinco de Mayo is quite an event in May, it is not the only celebration. Around the world, there are different celebrations, and the most popular are:

Mother’s Day: For many countries worldwide, like the USA, Japan, Uruguay, Germany, and Canada, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year. It honors the mother of the family, as well as motherhood and maternal bonds.

Memorial Day: This US holiday honors and remembers the soldiers and military personnel who died while serving the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the US, and many families decorate their homes and cemeteries with the flag of the United States.

May Day: May Day is an ancient festival of Spring celebrated on May 1, where activities like dances, singing, and cake eating take place. Perhaps the most known modern May Day era traditions include dancing around a tall wooden pole, called the maypole. The traditions may vary from country to country.

Star Wars Day: Not a federal or local holiday, yet a celebration by the heart! Fans across the world celebrate the franchise created by George Lucas. Saying 'May the fourth be with you' is the best way to greet another Star Wars fan on this day.

Slots

There’s really no excuse not to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with big, real cash winnings. Of course, a relaxing time at home, or wherever you are, is a must. So lean back and spin the colorful reels during the day or the early evening. We have you covered; here are the top three slots to play at the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Popping Piñatas

It has become a tradition to play Popping Piñatas on Cinco de Mayo in all the years it is available at Slots Capital. This amazing online slot from Rival revolves around a Mexican party and features traditional mariachi singers. Not to forget about the beautiful local dancer who cheers you up from behind the reels. This slot also includes fun symbols, including the cute chihuahua ‘Pequeño’, piñatas, skulls, peppers, trumpets, and -can’t miss- tequila.

This popular new slot offers 50 active lines on its 5x3 reels. Depending on the mode players are spinning in, Day or Night, they will find different sets of wild symbols. Day symbols pay up to 1,000x and include the Donkey Pinata symbol and a Pinata Popping bonus game. Night symbols pay up to 750x and feature the Perdido sign, with the 'Find Pequeno' feature in its reels.

Popping Piñatas is one of the best Rival games in terms of graphics, 3D design, and storyline. Their use of state-of-the-art technology allows bettors to enjoy a 3D-rendered title with great colors, design, plot, animation, and sound and music effects. Enjoy the flair of Mexican victory on the slot and hear the Mariachis underline the action going on.

Chilli Pop

Get your tortillas ready - it is time for Fajitas! Fill them with the peppers and onions of the 5x3 game grid at the Chilli Pop slot! With three or more of the same Icon, you generate winnings in the slot. The winnings aren't just credited to your account. With a bang, the symbols explode, and icons drop from top to bottom, giving you a chance to generate new and even bigger winnings!

With the Heads or Tail feature, you, once again, are given the chance to generate more winnings with a virtual coin toss. Guess the right side, and your bet will be doubled. But be aware that you might lose it; it is a 50/50 chance. Besides this, free spins and the mule trail await you.

During the free spins, whenever the mule icon appears, it adds to the trail on the side. Depending on how many mule icons you collected, the bigger the field to generate real cash. From a 5x3 field, it can go as big as an 8x8 field.

Wild Piñatas, free spins, and a chance to win up to 2067 x your bet. What more can we say other than this game will spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration?

El Mariachi

The Mariachis are famous for their music. With their Guitars and "Maracas," they create fantastic musical vibes that set the mood. However, in the slot El Mariachi, they have a dark secret they want to hide. With the glass of whiskey being the bonus symbol, you'll get free spins if you have at least three of them on the reel.

In the free spin feature, you can fill up your glass with whiskey, sippin' on it while the reels are turning. See the doors open up and big cash added to your balance. With each full glass on the side, a new level of features gets activated. From a sticky wild to multipliers to additional free spins and better multipliers - you have a chance to get it all.

Capture Mexico City and its hidden side and win massively. Make sure you stick to the right side. While you may want to join the colorful Cinco de Mayo parade, you definitely can spin the colorful reels of this 5x3 slot at Slots Capital, teaming up with the bosses. Besides the high-valued bosses, you have the low-paying symbols, which are classics - the heart, spade, clubs, and diamonds.

Grab your Maracas and Sombreros!

Even though many people have misinterpreted Cinco de Mayo and sometimes lost its real meaning due to advertising and false beliefs, it remains an important historic milestone for the Mexican people. It is also an excellent opportunity for the rest of the world to learn a little bit more about Mexico’s culture. 

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