Many people mistake Cinco de Mayo for Mexican Independence Day.  What the holiday really marks is the day that the Mexican Army defeated the French forces in The Battle of Puebla in 1862. The Mexican army was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.  Mexico’s Independence was won on September 16, 1810.  Here are some fast facts about Cinco de Mayo:

  • Mexico was attacked by France alongside other European countries due to them no longer paying interest to its creditors.
  • The French army was much better equipped than the Mexican army.  They outnumbered the Mexican army 2 to 1.  Their defeat by the Mexican army was their first in nearly 50 years. 
     
  • Despite the victory on May 5, France later went on to occupy Mexico in 1863. They ruled there until they voluntarily withdrew after US pressure in 1866-1867.

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  • The holiday is much more celebrated in the United States. In Mexico is it mainly Puebla but is celebrated in other regions of the country as well.  Celebrations are filled with dancing, traditional Mexcian food, music, and special events to spotlight the culture.
  • In 1967, a group of California State University students realized their was no real Chicano celebrations in this country. They are largely responsible for helping create for implementing the celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the United States. 
  • There are many nationally recognized Cinco de Mayo festivals around the US.  The largest is the Festival de Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles, CA. More than 600,000 people attend. Other well known festivals are held in Denver and St. Paul’s, MN.

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo this year! Have fun and celebrate the beauty of Mexican culture.