Customers with Colombian food at the Latin food vendors in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York on July 20, 2008. The popular vendors sell cuisine from various Latin American countries out of a corner of Red Hook Park. Due to city health regulations, the vendors, who used to operate out of tents, had to purchase trucks and pass inspection at considerable cost. The businesses started over 30 years ago near the soccer fields in the park that are popular with Hispanic immigrants. (©

Customers wait on line for Salvadorian food at the Latin food vendors in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York on July 20, 2008. The popular vendors sell cuisine from various Latin American countries out of a corner of Red Hook Park. Due to city health regulations, the vendors, who used to operate out of tents, had to purchase trucks and pass inspection at considerable cost. The businesses started over 30 years ago near the soccer fields in the park that are popular with Hispanic

Mexican-Americans march in the Cinco de Mayo Parade in New York. The holiday commemorates a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States Mexican-Americans celebrate with parades and festivals as a show of ethnic pride. (© Frances M. Roberts)

Mexican-Americans in the Cinco de Mayo Parade in New York. The holiday commemorates a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States Mexican-Americans celebrate with parades and festivals as a show of ethnic pride. (© Richard B. Levine)