Quiz of the Day
Mexican Culture & Cinco de Mayo
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Battle of Puebla, Mexican food, traditions, famous Mexicans
1. What does Cinco de Mayo actually celebrate?
- Mexican Independence Day
- The Battle of Puebla victory over France
- The founding of Mexico City
- The end of the Mexican Revolution
On May 5, 1862, a smaller Mexican army defeated the French — then considered the world's greatest military power. It's widely celebrated in the US but is actually a minor holiday in Mexico.
2. What is the capital of Mexico?
- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
- Cancún
Mexico City was built on the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán. With a metro population of over 21 million, it's the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world and is sinking about 50 cm per year due to underground water extraction.
3. Which ancient civilisation built the pyramid of Chichén Itzá?
- Aztecs
- Incas
- Maya
- Olmecs
During the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow creates the illusion of a serpent slithering down the pyramid's staircase. This phenomenon draws over 1 million visitors per year and shows the Maya's incredible astronomical knowledge.
4. What is the traditional Mexican celebration honouring deceased loved ones?
- Carnival
- Día de los Muertos
- Las Posadas
- La Quinceañera
Day of the Dead (November 1-2) is not a Mexican version of Halloween. Families build ofrendas (altars) with favourite foods, photos, and marigolds to welcome spirits home. UNESCO declared it an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.
5. Which Mexican artist is famous for her self-portraits and unibrow?
- Leonora Carrington
- Diego Rivera
- Frida Kahlo
- Remedios Varo
Kahlo created 143 paintings, 55 of which are self-portraits. A devastating bus accident at age 18 left her in lifelong pain and inspired much of her art. Her painting 'Diego y Yo' sold for $34.9 million in 2021.
6. What Mexican food item was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list?
- Churros
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Traditional Mexican cuisine (including corn-based dishes)
Mexican cuisine was inscribed by UNESCO in 2010, recognising corn cultivation, nixtamalisation (treating corn with lime), and communal cooking traditions spanning thousands of years. Mexico domesticated corn, tomatoes, chocolate, and vanilla.
7. What is a mariachi band?
- A military marching band
- A traditional Mexican musical ensemble
- A rock band from Mexico City
- A type of street performer
Mariachi music originated in western Mexico in the 18th century. A traditional mariachi band features violins, trumpets, guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón. Mariachi music was added to UNESCO's heritage list in 2011.
8. What is the main ingredient in guacamole?
- Lime
- Tomato
- Avocado
- Jalapeño
The word 'guacamole' comes from the Aztec word 'ahuacamolli' meaning 'avocado sauce'. Mexico produces about 30% of the world's avocados. During the Super Bowl alone, Americans consume over 100 million pounds of guacamole.
9. Which Mexican revolutionary is famous for the quote 'It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees'?
- Pancho Villa
- Emiliano Zapata
- Miguel Hidalgo
- Benito Juárez
Zapata led the peasant uprising for land reform during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). His cry 'Tierra y Libertad!' (Land and Liberty!) became one of the revolution's most powerful slogans.
10. What drink is Mexico famous for producing from the blue agave plant?
- Tequila
- Rum
- Mezcal
- Pulque
Real tequila can only be produced in specific regions of Mexico, primarily Jalisco. It takes 8-12 years for a blue agave plant to mature. Mexico produces over 500 million litres of tequila per year.
11. What is a piñata traditionally shaped like?
- A seven-pointed star
- An animal
- A ball
- A donkey
The traditional piñata has seven points representing the seven deadly sins. Breaking it symbolises overcoming temptation. The piñata tradition likely came to Mexico from China via Spanish missionaries in the 16th century.
12. Which Aztec emperor was ruler when Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519?
- Itzcoatl
- Ahuitzotl
- Cuauhtémoc
- Moctezuma II
Moctezuma reportedly believed Cortés might be the returning god Quetzalcoatl. The Aztec Empire had about 25 million people — one of the largest civilisations in the world at the time — but fell within two years due to European diseases and internal alliances against the Aztecs.
13. What is Mexico's most-watched sport?
- Football (soccer)
- Baseball
- Lucha libre (wrestling)
- Boxing
Mexico has hosted two FIFA World Cups (1970 and 1986) and will co-host in 2026. The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is the only venue to have hosted two World Cup finals — both featuring legendary performances.
14. What is 'lucha libre'?
- A martial art
- A traditional dance
- A Mexican card game
- Mexican professional wrestling with colourful masks
Lucha libre wrestlers (luchadores) guard their mask identity as sacred. Losing a mask in a match is deeply humiliating. The most famous luchador, El Santo, wore his silver mask his entire career and was buried wearing it.
15. What did Mexico give the world that changed breakfast forever?
- Orange juice
- Coffee
- Pancakes
- Chocolate
The Aztecs drank chocolate as a bitter, spicy beverage called 'xocolatl'. Cacao beans were so valuable they were used as currency — a turkey cost about 100 beans. The word 'chocolate' comes directly from the Nahuatl language.