... continued from cover
This didn’t stop the French from taking Mexico City and gaining control over the country in 1863. But the victory gave the Mexican people a sense of pride and served as a symbol of defiance against French imperialism. After the United States helped push the French out of Mexico, restoring Juárez back to power, the celebration of Puebla, or Cinco de Mayo, spread into the states. People of Mexican heritage who were living in the United States saw the victory as a source of pride and strength. During the Civil War, they used it as inspiration to fight. Today, the holiday is celebrated largely in the United States and Puebla, but not throughout the rest of Mexico. People living in Mexico believe that celebrating Mexican Independence Day in September is a better way to express their patriotism. TRANSITION INTO THE STATES
CELEBRATIONS
Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted and celebrated throughout the United States as an appreciation of Mexican culture and heritage. After the battle, word of the victory spread throughout the states. Today, huge celebrations take place in some of the larger cities in the U.S., including Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and New York City. These might include parades, dancing, and large amounts of food and alcohol. ABC News states that in 2013, 30.6 million cases of beer and 87.3 million pounds of avocados were sold during the week of Cinco de Mayo. This created a revenue of $658 million for the alcohol alone and 349 million servings of guacamole. Learning about the past and why certain holidays are celebrated encourages and inspires people to celebrate. This year, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with newfound knowledge and understanding.
Get Your Grill On 2 May Holidays, 2 Reasons to Grill
Is there anything more American than grilling a burger outside on Memorial Day? This year, there’s another reason to fire up the grill that weekend: In addition to being Memorial Day, May 28 is also National Hamburger Day! Enjoy this delicious coincidence by heating up the grill, gathering the fixings, and making one of these tasty burgers at home.
Serve it on a grilled ciabatta bun topped with marinated red peppers and arugula for flavor and texture. If you want to get extra fancy, pour a bit of balsamic reduction over the patty before adding the toppings.
THE PORTOBELLO BURGER
For a delicious veggie burger even meat eaters will love, use a portobello mushroom as your patty. Remove the stems, then marinate the mushrooms for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a clove of minced garlic. Season the shrooms with salt and pepper, then place them on the grill just as you would any other burger. Gruyere cheese is the perfect creamy topping, and you can use grilled focaccia bread topped with garlic aioli. As you bask in the late spring weather and the inviting smell of delicious food this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember the Americans who gave their lives so we could enjoy these freedoms, and thank those who served.
THE CLASSIC BURGER
Nothing beats the American classic: a seasoned beef patty, a slice of cheddar cheese, a squirt each of mustard and ketchup, a layer of crunchy lettuce, some thinly sliced onions, and a couple of zesty pickles. For a homemade touch, make the pickles yourself by soaking cucumbers in a brine of vinegar, dill, and salt.
THE MEDITERRANEAN BURGER
Take your patty to the next level with a Mediterranean twist. Mix feta cheese and garlic into your ground beef before forming your patties.
2 • Flattmannlaw.com
Made with FlippingBook Annual report