Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. In this battle, about 2,000 Mexican troops defeated approximately 6,000 French soldiers, which was a significant morale boost despite being a smaller-scale engagement. The victory symbolized Mexican resistance against foreign intervention, specifically against the French invasion led by Emperor Napoleon III, who sought to annex Mexican territory after Mexico defaulted on debt payments
. Cinco de Mayo is often mistakenly thought to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, but Mexico's Independence Day is actually on September 16. Cinco de Mayo is more about commemorating this symbolic military victory rather than independence from Spain
. In Mexico, the holiday is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place, and is not a federal holiday. However, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially among Mexican-American communities. It gained popularity during the Chicano Movement in the 1960s and is now marked by parades, music, food, and cultural events
. In summary, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican resilience and cultural pride stemming from the 1862 Battle of Puebla victory against French forces.
