Cinco de Mayo: Facts, meaning and celebration of the holiday

May 5, 2024

Cinco de Mayo is an important holiday that celebrates Mexican heritage.

It is widely celebrated throughout North America, especially in the United States.

This holiday represents the resilience of the Mexican people during the invasions of the French Empire in the 19th century.

The most popular Mexican beer in the U.S.: Cinco de Mayo will taste the flavors of these Cinco Cervasas

Read on to learn why and how this holiday is celebrated in Mexico and the United States.

Why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated annually in Mexico.

The country celebrates its historic defeat against the Second French Empire in one of the most important battles of the Second Franco-Mexican War.

At the Battle of Puebla in 1862, an outnumbered Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the French Imperial Army, providing a huge morale boost for the soldiers and the country.

Cinco de Mayo honors the Mexican military’s victory over French invaders in the 19th century. (Carlos Tischler/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing/File via Getty Images)

The conflict between the two countries began after the President of Mexico suspended the country’s debts to the French Empire, which resulted in Napoleon III launching an invasion of the former Spanish colony.

Although the initial victory at Puebla helped rally the Mexican army, the French eventually launched a second attack on the town, which was successful. Within a few years, French forces defeated Mexican forces and captured the country, later appointing Maximilian I as the new emperor of Mexico.

Mexico celebrates this holiday with formal military parades and various battle reenactments.

However, after the end of the Civil War, Mexican rebels began receiving money and weapons from the U.S. government, eventually retaking the country and executing the emperor.

The Mexican military’s victory at Puebla became known by Cinco de Mayo Day, an important cultural event celebrating the resilience of the Mexican people.

When and where is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

In Spanish, “Cinco de Mayo” means May 5th, which is celebrated every year.

In Mexico, this holiday is celebrated with formal military parades and various battle reenactments to honor the soldiers who fought in the battle.

For example, the town of Puebla hosts large-scale reenactments each year, along with multiple festivals and decoration ceremonies.

In the United States, people celebrate Cinco de Mayo by drinking a variety of beers imported from Mexico, including Corona. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images/File)

However, Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the United States than in its home country of Mexico. In the United States, we celebrate this holiday by drinking beer and having family dinners to honor Mexican tradition and history.

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In the 1980s, beer companies ran advertising campaigns that made Cinco de Mayo popular across the country, especially in states like California and areas near the U.S.-Mexico border.

What are some interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo?

One of the most interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo is that people often mistake this holiday for Mexican Independence Day.

In fact, Mexicans celebrate the beginning of their fight for independence from Spanish colonizers on September 15th and 16th.

Additionally, regions of Mexico such as Puebla celebrate Cinco de Mayo throughout the month of May.

People in the United States also celebrate Cinco de Mayo by eating popular Mexican dishes. (St. Petersburg)

Additionally, although the Mexican government does not consider Cinco de Mayo an official holiday, May 5th is a day off for some children and workers.