Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, celebrated more prominently in the United States than in Mexico itself.
Commemorating an unlikely military victory against a numerically superior invading force, this holiday has ironically become significantly more widely celebrated north of the border than in Mexico itself.
Commemorating the Battle of Puebla
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unexpected victory over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Not Mexico's Independence Day
Despite common misconceptions, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's independence day, which is instead celebrated separately in September.
More Widely Celebrated in the United States
Cinco de Mayo has become significantly more widely and prominently celebrated in the United States than in most of Mexico itself.
A Celebration of Mexican Heritage
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly within Mexican-American communities.
