If you want to read more about the history of Cinco de Mayo, check out “Should Cinco de Mayo be celebrated?” written by Crystal Gomez (May 6, 2025).
Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. Instead, it represents the Mexican army’s unexpected victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The win became recognized because at the time, the French army was considered one of the best in the world.
The Battle of Puebla happened because Mexico had trouble paying back debts to European countries, including France. France, under Napoleon III, saw this as an opportunity to set up a new empire in Mexico. However, the Mexican army, though smaller and not as well-equipped, still managed to overcome the French.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
“I think that for Mexicans in Mexico, this is not as big of a holiday because although Cinco de Mayo was an immense military victory for the nation, as they were outnumbered, the French Army did return and they took control of the nation for several years.” LHS Spanish Teacher Andres Valencia said. “ Nowadays, Cinco de Mayo is synonymous with Mexican Culture and Heritage. This is especially the case in the United States, where it has been commercialized and celebrated in many ways.”
In Mexico, it usually brings a small celebration in the city of Puebla, with parades, speeches, and recognitions of the 1862 battle.
Some people say that Cinco de Mayo is not an important holiday in Mexico and that it’s mostly celebrated by people who aren’t Mexican. Critiques often say that in the U.S., it’s often celebrated more by white Americans than by Mexican or Mexican-American communities, and that the true meaning of the day is often forgotten.
“Learning about other cultures helps everyone understand human nature and gives a new appreciation for the world around them,” Valencia said.
While Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood, it’s also a day to remember a small group of people who stood up for their country and won.
