Cinco de Mayo is just one month away!

Cinco de Mayo is just one month away! We all know it's a fun-filled celebration, but exactly what is the holiday? Here are some facts and myths on this festive holiday, from Wikipedia:
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May" in English) is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico. The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish), which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. The paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."

The holiday of Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. There is some limited recognition of the holiday in other parts of the country. For the most part the celebrations combine food, music and dancing.

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages, foods, and music.

The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry, respectively. As a result, the holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, especially in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican ancestry.

Although it is not an official holiday, many cities with large populations of Mexican ancestry honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride and as a representation of a culture that blends both Mexican and American roots. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez.

Visit Annie's Costumes for ponchos, sombreros, decorations and more.

All 6 Star Wars Movies on Spike TV

The Epic Star Wars Saga begins tomorrow on Spike TV. Airing in chronological order with The Phantom Menace - Episode 1 first on April 4th at 8pm. Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones will air Saturday night and The World Broadcast premiere of Revenge of the Sith - Episode 3 will air Sunday night. Then, next week, the original Star Wars Trilogy: Episode IV - A New Hope Friday, April 11th, The Empire Strikes Back Saturday April 12th and Return of the Jedi airing Sunday, April 14th.

It's appointment television, for sure! (Can you tell I'm a huge Star Wars fan!) And Spike promises to throw in plenty of extras so that Star Wars fans can learn even more about the force! Spike will also be airing a Star Wars movies every Sunday in May.

Don't forget that May 25th is Universal Day of the Jedi, so make sure to get your Jedi cloaks and light sabers ready to celebrate the anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars movie.

If you are in need of any Jedi costumes or supplies, www.AnniesCostumes.com has got you covered with Star Wars costumes in all sizes for adults, children, even babies and pets! Plus Star Wars costume accessories, light sabers, masks, helmets, and more! All Star Wars merchandise we carry is officially licensed and approved by LucasFilms.

Top 10 Crazy Questions Customers Have Asked

Now don't get me wrong, we love our customers, but sometimes they ask the craziest questions!

To our customers: We love you, but we are gonna poke a little fun!

These are ACTUAL questions received by the Extreme Halloween customer service team:

10. Do you know what size my son wears?

9. What color is The Purple Queen Costume?

8. What do you mean you aren't a store? You have an address!

7. Do I have to shave my head before applying a bald cap?

6. Do you sell dragon's blood? (They meant from a real dragon!)

5. Do you have REAL mermaid costumes?

4. How do I go to the bathroom in this costume?

3. Why are these underwear so tight? Answer: that is a headpiece, not a codpiece.

2. Will these wings make my daughter fly?

1. Do you carry costumes?