Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday also known as Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, which commemorates a military victory of the Mexican army over French forces of Napoleon III back in 1862. Surprisingly, this festivity is not as much celebrated in Mexico itself as it is in the United States, where it has evolved into honoring Mexican culture and heritage over the years. The reason it gained traction in the U.S. is because of the country’s partial involvement in this historical event mentioned above and also due to the growing Hispanic population in the country, to whom this holiday became an opportunity to reconnect with their roots.
If in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo means tacos, margaritas and fiesta, in Mexico this day is celebrated mostly in the state of Puebla with an impressive military parade, reenactments of the 1862 battle, music and dances.
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Cinco de Mayo History background
It was the times when Mexico was economically struggling for it was unable to repay its foreign debts to some european countries. As a response, France alongside with Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz, the country’s largest port city, demanding repayment. Later though, Mexico negotiated with Britain and Spain, who then withdrew their forces. But not Napoleon III, who was determined to build an empire there.
Late in 1861 a well-armed French fleet invaded Mexico by taking the country’s main port of Veracruz and forcing Mexican Army to retreat into northern Mexico.
On May 5th, 1862, certain of further victory, the French forces of 6,000 troops focused their attention on the city of Pueba de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. Meanwhile, Mexican President Benito Juarez managed to bring together a group of 2,000 loyal men to fight back, many of them were indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry.
The Puebla battle lasted from daybreak to early evening. The vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied, Mexicans defeated French troops.
Napoleon’s III forces had lost an estimated 500 to 1000 soldiers, while the casualties among Mexicans made up less than a hundred people.
Unfortunately, this victory didn’t stop French forces from proceeding further with the invasion and taking control of Mexico city in 1864 but it represented a great symbolic win for Mexican people, which later added to the resistance. French left the country five years later, in 1867, thanks in part to the United States, which sent its troops to aid its besieged neighbor.
How and where is Cinco de Mayo celebrated these days
In Mexico, the main Cinco de Mayo celebration site is in Puebla, where the historical events took place. People dress up as French and Mexican soldiers of that time to reenact the Historical events. Brightly colored parade fills up the streets of the city accompanied with musicians and dancers. Spectacular performances by the indigenous communities are also a part of the show. And what a Mexican celebration without pinatas? The festivities aren’t nationwide though, it’s not even a national holiday, so for the other people in Mexico, May the 5th is just a regular day.
While Cinco de Mayo is not a nationwide holiday in Mexico, in the U.S. though it holds coast-to-coast celebrations, honoring Mexican culture and heritage, especially so in areas with a strong presence of Mexican-American community, in such cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver and San Antonio. It is commemorated with parades, parties, Mexican traditional music and food.
