Why Cinco De Mayo Has Become an American Celebration [VIDEO]

Tomorrow is May 5, or "Cinco De Mayo," and many Americans will be celebrating this festive day by drinking cerveza, margaritas, and eating some great Mexican foods like fajitas, tacos, chalupas, tortilla chips, salsa and don't forget guacamole. It's a day set aside to celebrate Mexico defeating France in what was better known as the Battle of Puebla May 5, 1862.

Now, I know what you're thinking. Why has this become such a huge American celebration? Maybe it's because this whole Mexican-France thing has a Texas connection? You see, the Mexican army during that time was headed up by a Commander by the name of Ignacio Zaragoza who was born in what has become Goliad, Texas located about 60 miles north of Corpus Christi. In 1999, the Texas Senate declared it the official place to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Over the years, many people have confused Cinco De Mayo as Mexico's Independence Day, which is not true at all. In fact, Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16.

Cinco De Mayo celebrations were barely recognized in America until the 1960s when high profile Mexican-American activists started pushing the day to give it some national recognition. And the rest is history as they say!

Cinco De Mayo has become one of the biggest non-winter drinking days of the year and is one of the top five drinking days in America.

And what about Puebla, Mexico, the place this whole celebration thing is all about?  Well, according to Smithsonian magazine Puebla is one of Mexico's best food cities. Cinco De Mayo, unlike St. Patrick's Day, still doesn't get as much publicity, but you can rest assured I'll be chugging down some cervezas and Mexican cuisine come Cinco De Mayo, or as I like to call it -- Cinco De Mario! Ole!

Check out this video that Jimmy Kimmel did on his show a couple pf years ago. I think it's pretty funny. And be sure and check out my blog post from a few years ago on my childhood memories.

(CNN)