"Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican American populations."

(Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo )

A BIT OF CINCO DE MAYO HISTORY

While Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, it is a significant and commemorative day that celebrates Mexico’s victory, of May 5, 1862, over France at the Battle of Puebla.

In Mexico, the day is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, although some Mexican cities also celebrate the day.

In the United States, heightened awareness of Cinco de Mayo began in the 1960s when Chicano activists identified with the victory of the Indigenous Mexicans who were victorious over the European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. President Juarez, who was president of Mexico at the time of the Battle of Puebla, was a lawyer and a member of the Indigenous Zapotec tribe.

Once awareness of the Battle of Puebla was raised, Cinco de Mayo was widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations.

Find out more by visiting the Source of this information at:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo