Little Cinco

Little Cinco Program

Thanks for visiting our Little Cinco section. Here you can find activities for kids all ages including:

The History of the Battle of Puebla
The History of Cinco de Mayo
A biography of our beloved Tejano Hero General Zaragoza
Lessons for making Traditional Mexican arts & Crafts (click here)
A printable Cinco de Mayo Word Search Puzzle
Printable Coloring sheets
An online interactive coloring page of the Coat Of Arms of Mexico

Who is Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín? How is he connected to Cinco de Mayo?

Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza (March 24, 1829 - September 8, 1862) was a Mexican General best known for his defeat of invading French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5 (the Cinco de Mayo), 1862.
Zaragoza was born in the town of Presidio de la Bahia del Espirito Santo in what what was then the Mexican province of Texas, now the city of Goliad, Texas. Young Ignacio studied in the seminary of Matamoros, then moved to Monterrey, Mexico.

During Mexico's political unrest of the 1850s Zaragoza joined the army supporting the cause of Mexico's Liberal Party, opposing dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. He had part in several important victories which led to reestablishment of a constitutional democratic government in Mexico.
Zaragosa was Secretary of War from April till October, 1861 in the cabinet of President Benito Juarez.

When the French Forces of Napoleon III invaded Mexico Zaragoza fought them, first engaging the French at Acultzingo on April 28, 1862, where he was forced to withdraw. Zaragoza understood the favorable defensive position outside of the city of Puebla, where with a smaller and more poorly equipt force he beat back repeated French assaults on May 5th. The French then retreated to Orizaba.

Ignacio Zaragoza was known for visiting his sick and injured soldiers, and shortly after his famous victory he contracted typhus, of which he died at the age of 33.
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ig/Ignacio_Zaragoza

Fun Links & PDFs

About the Battle of Puebla and why we really celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Watch "The Real Story" about Cinco de Mayo and learn the real history of why we celebrate on the 5th of May!

On Cinco de Mayo, we honor General Zaragoza and his brave Mexican army who were outnumbered and weaponed to the World's most powerful army of that time. We celebrate them because they showed us that even against the greatest odds, you can achieve victory!

Cinco de Mayo Word Search Puzzle

To download and print, click on the image and then go to File, then to Print on your computer. Enjoy!

Little Cinco Coloring Pages

To download three awesome Little Cinco coloring sheets. To print, click on the image. Then go to File, and then to Print on your computer. Enjoy!

Coat Of Arms of Mexico Online Coloring Page

To go to the Coat Of Arms of Mexico Online Coloring Page, click here or click on the image.

Hojalata (tin painting)