May 5—known as Cinco de Mayo and a day to celebrate Mexican culture and cuisine—has sort of a fuzzy background to many who do not have the full grasp of what is celebrated today.,
To elaborate, On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, achieved a stunning victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla southeast of Mexico City. While French troops would eventually take the city under siege a year later, the Mexican victory at Puebla against a better equipped force provided patriotic inspiration to the Mexicans and helped unite the nation against further foreign intervention.
While the Battle of Puebla is a notable event in Mexican history, it's crucial to understand that it is not the same as Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16 to commemorate the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. But the Battle of Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance and national pride. It is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place, and has gained prominence in the United States as a way to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.
Cinco de Mayo is actually a more prominent holiday in the United States, were celebrations began in southern California. It is an official holiday in the state of Puebla and neighboring Veracruz. In Puebla, reenactments and parades take place to commemorate the battle. Parade participants dress as French and Mexican soldiers.
