What is Cinco de Mayo?

By: Jocelyn Olmos

Cinco de Mayo is here, but what exactly is it and how do people celebrate it? Cinco de Mayo or the 5th day of May translated is the day in which parts of Mexico and the United States celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French forces of Napoleon III, in 1862. No, this is not the day that Mexico won its independence from Spain, that day is September 16th. It’s not known why people think it is Mexico’s independence day, but this is a common misconception that many people have today.

The reason why there was a victory over the French forces was because Mexico had several debts to pay back to European governments. When debts weren’t paid back, Spain, Britain, and France sent troops to invade Mexico. Fortunately, Mexico had negotiated with Spain and Britain and they retreated their troops. However, in late 1861 the French troops did not stand down and wanted to take land from Mexico and still fought. The battle of Puebla seemed very unlikely for Mexico to win since their President Juárez and his government retreated from a very heavy and well-armed French military. The French had 6,000 troops and Juárez rounded up 2,000 troops of Indigenous Mexicans and mixed ancestry men. Juárez sent his troops with their leader General Ignacio Zaragoza to the city of Puebla to prepare for an attack from the French.

Even though Mexico was poorly equipped and had fewer men they won the battle. However, the fighting didn’t stop for another five years. This battle and victory was a great symbol for Mexico. The city later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza is the site of a museum of the battle and a park that is the preserved battlefield.

Certain cities in Mexico and the United States celebrate this day but the biggest city to celebrate it, is of course the city of Puebla, Mexico where the battle and victory took place. The day is full of parades, speeches, and reenactments of the battle. In the U.S., Mexican immigrants will also celebrate this day to show pride in their Mexican heritage.

There is Cinco de Mayo, how it came to be, and how it is celebrated. I hope you learned something new and now know what the day truly means to Mexican culture.