Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico is an annual celebration held on the fifth of May. Meaning the fifth of May in Spanish, Cinco de Mayo is held in observation of the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire in 1862. It is also called the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are pretty low key, and only held in certain parts of the country. In the state of Puebla for example, parades, speeches and reenactments take place to honor Mexican resistance to foreign domination. In the US however, it has become a time to enjoy Mexican culture, food, beer and tequila. Mexican immigrants initially observed Cinco de Mayo in the US as a way of taking pride in Mexican heritage and history. A side note, there was a second war between France and Mexico. At the second Battle of Puebla, the French won. Also, Mexican Independence Day is actually on September 16. Established in 1810, Mexican Independence day was declared fifty years prior to the Battle of Puebla.