Cinco de Mayo, generally known as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a Mexican and American holiday commemorating a military victory over Napoleon III’s French soldiers in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican war.  In Spanish, Cinco de Mayo translates to “May 5,” which is the day of celebration.

The background of how this holiday came to be is an exciting tale that most people in America are probably not aware of.  Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (which occurred 50 years prior), as many people believe and instead, symbolizes an event that occurred much earlier in Mexican history.

“I don’t know much about the history of Cinco de Mayo, but I want to learn more,” said freshman Alex Goldberg.

On May 5, 1862, 6,000 French forces assaulted the Mexican city of Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza to bring it under French control.  Despite being outmanned, the Mexican soldiers fought back bravely, and the French retreated by early evening.  To commemorate this victory, residents of Puebla celebrated the first Cinco de Mayo.  Today, in the United States, this holiday is also extensively observed, and the American festival honors both the war and Mexican culture.

People in the United States watch parades with brightly colored costumed dancers, listen to lively Mexican folk music known as mariachi, and consume millions of avocados in traditional dishes, such as guacamole.  The Running of the Chihuahuas is a fun event held in Washington, D.C., where Chihuahuas (a Mexican dog breed) race each other.  

“I love having my birthday at Cinco de Mayo because then I get to celebrate both holidays,” said freshman Nicky Rubino.

Cinco de Mayo is widely celebrated in the United States to honor Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in cities with large Mexican populations.  Surprisingly, the holiday has become more popular in the United States than in Mexico, except for the state of Puebla.  The first American celebration of Cinco de Mayo occurred in California, weeks after the Mexican Army’s victory. 

 Cinco de Mayo did not officially exist for a while in the U.S.. President Franklin D. Roosevelt formally recognized the holiday in 1933. In the 1960s, Chicano activists popularized the festival, partially because they connected with Indigenous Mexicans, including the Juárez, who defeated European invaders during the Battle of Puebla.

Today, parades, parties, music, Mexican folk dances, and traditional delicacies, like tacos and mole poblano, commemorate this occasion. Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston host some of the largest festivals. 

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in a bit of a different way.  Instead of large parties and gatherings all over the country, the holiday is mainly celebrated in Puebla.  Mexicans also put on a military parade with large colorful floats, and people dress up to reenact the Battle of Puebla.

What is the food that everyone thinks of when they hear “Cinco de Mayo”?  If you said something along the lines of tacos and guacamole, you are correct.  However, mole sauce, a combination of chili peppers and chocolate, is also heavily associated with the celebrations on May 5.  In fact, during Cinco de Mayo, Mexico holds an international mole festival.  

“Every year, my family and I eat tacos for dinner on Cinco de Mayo as a way to celebrate,” said freshman Stella Felix.

Cinco de Mayo can be celebrated by everyone, both of Mexican and American heritage.