Cinco de Mayo is celebrated primarily by people in the Mexican city of Puebla and by Mexican Americans in the United States.
- In Mexico, the holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. However, the celebration is mostly limited to Puebla and involves military parades and reenactments of the battle. It is not a major national holiday in Mexico, which instead celebrates Independence Day on September 16
- In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widespread celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially among Mexican Americans. It originated in California soon after the battle and gained popularity nationally in the 1980s, partly due to commercial promotion by alcohol companies. Americans use the day to honor Mexican culture with parades, festivals, music, food, and parties, often focusing on Mexican-American pride
In summary, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Mexico mainly in Puebla to mark a historic military victory, while in the U.S. it has evolved into a broader cultural celebration embraced by Mexican Americans and others interested in Mexican culture.
