Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Slots Capital!
Grab your sombrero and join the Cinco de Mayo celebration with rhythmic slots and colorful winnings!
People all around the country mark the occasion of the Fifth of May with parades, parties, mariachi music, and traditional foods like tacos, guacamole, and burritos. Thousands of people will observe Cinco de Mayo on a Monday this year - wherever they are in Mexico, the United States, or other parts of the world.
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 two 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 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 the American Civil War was happening. This means that both the 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 itself. 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 Mexicans' unlikely victory occurred, and in other major cities. 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:
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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.
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Chalupas: This famous Poblano food is fried tortillas topped with salsa, shredded meat, cheese, and salsa.
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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!
Your Puebla Parade Slot Collection at Slots Capital
There’s really no excuse not to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style. When it comes to celebrating big and passionately, you may want to lean back and spin the vibrant reels. 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 since its release. This amazing online slot from Rival revolves around a Mexican party and features traditional mariachi singers. Signature characters of the slots are the cute chihuahua ‘Pequeño,’ piñatas, peppers, trumpets, and -can’t miss- tequila.
With 50 paylines and a 5x3 grid, the slot lures you into the celebrations, whether it is day or night mode! The clue is the different modes bring different sets of wild symbols to the dancing crowd. Pop piñatas or find Pequeño and discover the massive surprises with a "POP." 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! The symbols may explode with a bang, and new icons drop from top to bottom! The features of the game include a double-up coin toss, free spins, and a mule trail bonus.
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 money. 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. Team up with the boss of this 5x3 slot and see where it gets you. 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. With each full glass on the side, a new level of features gets activated. From a sticky wild to multipliers to additional free spins, you can get it all. Capture Mexico City and its hidden side and win massively.
Grab your Maracas and Sombreros!
Even though many people have misinterpreted Cinco de Mayo and sometimes miss 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.
It's time to start playing!
