Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us! Here you'll find the basics: all you need to know about everyone's favorite Mexican holiday!

It's everyone's favorite Mexican holiday, and it's coming up fast! Here's everything you'll need to know about Cinco de Mayo, written especially for younger readers.

In April of 1836, things looked bleak for the rebels in Texas. They had lost San Antonio and 200 men at the disastrous Battle of the Alamo and 400 more had been executed during the Goliad Massacre. General Sam Houston and his ragged army were running from the massive Mexican army, led by General Santa Anna. But Houston was just waiting for the right moment. That moment came on April 21, 1836, when Houston and his army surprised the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto, a resounding victory for the rebellious Texans and a huge step towards independence.

Everyone knows that Ferdinand Magellan led the first around-the-world sea journey, right? But how many people know that he didn't make it? Magellan only made it halfway around the world: he was killed in the Philippines on April 17, 1521. His ships went on without him. Why was he fighting so far from home?