What is "The Holiday Month"?

The Holiday Month is an attempt to celebrate a calendar years worth of holidays during the month of January, 2012.

When the holiday takes place on a specific day (i.e. St. Patrick's Day always takes place on March 17th), then it will be celebrated on January 17th. When a holiday takes place on a rotating day (i.e. Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November), then it will be celebrated on the corresponding day in January.

Concessions had to be made for holidays corresponding with religious calendars . These holidays, such as Easter and Purim, will be celebrated on the dates that they are taking place in 2012. Mardi Gras, the celebration that marks the beginning of the season of Lent, is being celebrated on the Tuesday before Easter, as this would then represent the beginning and end of that religious celebration.

The holidays celebrated during this month are in NO WAY all of the holidays celebrated throughout the year. Every effort was made to create a list that would cover major religious beliefs, as well as fun and interesting holidays that everyone might not celebrate.

Happy Holidays!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

January 5th - Cinco de Mayo


!Hola!

Today commemorates what would normally be the end of the College Holiday Season (which stars with Mardi Gras and continues on to St. Patrick’s Day).  I call it the College Holiday Season because really, the only way these days were celebrated when I was in college was to get falling down plastered, and if that's not college, I don't know what is.  I’m pretty sure every place that sold liquor in the town of Farmington, Maine was emptied of Corona, Dos Equis, and bottom shelf tequila on the days leading up to the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo.


Cinco de Mayo claimed many victims while I was in college...I wish I could blame the tongue sticking out above on the tequila, but nope, that's just my pose.


 

The Battle of Puebla

 
The actual purpose for the holiday dates back to the Battle of Puebla, in which a small band of Mexican forces fought the French army and won.   Because of the similarities between this battle and our own war for independence, Cinco de Mayo is often confused as some sort of "Mexican Independence Day."  In reality, the day has little or nothing to do with the celebration of Mexican independence.  Cinco de Mayo is not like the Fourth of July, or Bastille Day in France, for that matter.  Instead, the battle that took place on the fifth of May, 1862 merely provided the Mexican people with some much needed confidence as it began to unify itself as a nation.

What surprised me is that this holiday, which celebrates Mexican heritage and pride, is not actually celebrated throughout all of Mexico.  In fact, it is traditionally only celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place.  Looks like we’ve claimed something else for our own!

Because tequila and Coronas are frowned upon in the American workplace (thanks again, Puritans), I will have to save those for tonight.  Today, I celebrated with some homemade turkey chili…

 ...sadly, I believe it’s going to look very similar on its way out…

I also wore traditional Mexican garb throughout the day...

Sombreros are itchy, but I could get used to the poncho look.


And what celebration of Cinco de Mayo could be complete without a Mexican Hat dance?




























Tonight, I will be continuing my celebration with many cervezas as I take the stage for my first stand-up comedy performance.  It is something that I've always wanted to do, and I figured today was the day to do it.  If the outclassed and out-maned Mexican army could defeat the massive French force, then I can certainly get on stage and tell some jokes

Wish me buena suerta, or better yet, tell me to "rompa una pierna."  !Muchas Gracias!
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3 comments:

  1. JessieJanuary 5, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    1. You are my hero.
    2. I totally believe in tequila at the work place.
    3. GOOD LUCK TONIGHT!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Itsy BetteJanuary 5, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    If you wore a poncho daily, would there be need for any other clothing? It's a logical concern.

    Break a leg tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CrowmirefarmJanuary 5, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    I never get tired of watching you dance.

    ReplyDelete

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