CINCO DE MAYO: A May Holiday

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican celebration held every year on May 5. It is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico. It is to commemorate the Mexican army's defeat of the French army on May 5, 1862. In Mexico, it is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla where the holiday is called El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla. It is a prideful time for Mexican Americans. It was not believed at the  time that the Mexican army could defeat the French army but they did. The Mexican Army was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. This military battle marked the defeat of a European colonial power. Cinco de Mayo is not the celebration of Mexico's independence. That celebration is held on September 16 annually.

References:

1.) http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco de Mayo
2.) http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/cinco.htm

LOYALTY DAY: A May Holiday

Loyalty Day is always on the first day of May. Loyalty Day is an opportunity to express and reaffirm our loyalty to the United States of America. On Loyalty Day, we pledge our allegiance to our country and resolve to uphold the vision of our Forefathers. Loyalty Day is celebrated with parades and ceremonies in many U.S. cities and states.

The holiday was first observed in 1921, during the First Red Scare. It was originally called "Americanization Day," and it was intended to replace the May 1 ("May Day") celebration of the International Workers' Day, which commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago. May Day was perceived by some as a Communist holiday. Loyalty Day was intended to counter it.

During the Second Red Scare, it was recognized by the U.S. Congress on April 27, 1955, and made an official reoccurring holiday on July 18, 1958 with the signing of Public Law 85-529. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, proclaimed May 1, 1959 the first official observance of Loyalty Day.

References:

1.) http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/loyaltyday.htm
2.) http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyalty Day