Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House
First Lady Michelle Obama shared a group hug with some students during a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Monday, May 4, at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Charter School in Washington, D.C.
Later that evening at a White House Cinco de Mayo event attended by Mexican Ambassador Arturo Saruklan, President Obama spoke about the significance of the holiday: “Nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world. That decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Puebla ignited a pride in country and culture that Mexican Americans feel to this day.”
The president went on to say the celebration of that battle victory as Cinco de Mayo honors “our shared heritage…” and therefore “… America is a richer and more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans.” More of the president’s remarks on the White House website.
