Uno de Juno

Uno de Juno ("The One of June" in Spanish) is an important but little known festival of Mexico; the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world, with festivities in New York, and particularly on Chinatown's Forsyth Street, offering especially rich traditions. It is a festival of Mexican heritage and pride especially beloved by residents of and ex-patriots from the former Mexican territories of Alta California.

There are many misconceptions in the United States about Uno de Juno: that it is simply a secondary Cinco de Mayo, or a celebration by procrastinators who missed Cinco de Mayo because of "other commitments", or even that is it the true Mexican Independence Day. (Mexico's Independence Day is September 16 —dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish.) Some references don't include the festival at all.

Unlike Cinco de Mayo, Uno de Juno has suffered little from commercial exploitation, or corporate marketing of Mexican themed food, beverages and music. Though the holiday is celebrated vigorously in private homes throughout Latino America and beyond, it remains a festival of pure spirit, dedicated friendship, and abundant drink. It is said that the festivity was introduced by immigrant families from Valencia, Spain who moved to Mexico in the early 18th century, and introduced their signature drink, Horchata, a delicious milky beverage made from tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus). Mexican families adopted the tradition very early and included other beverages such as many forms of tequila-based cocktails and other mixed drink shooters and drink shots that now are widely enjoyed during the festivities.

In the United States, in such neighborhoods as East Los Angeles, the Mission District of San Francisco, East San Jose, all in California, and elsewhere throughout the Southwest and northeastern United States, Uno de Juno is best characterized as a day of celebration to honor a culture that fuses Mexican heritage and American life experience. To celebrate, many display Uno de Juno banners while some school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical insignificance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music, cuisine and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually in New York's celebrated immigrant community near the subway station.

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