Cinco de Mayo is a day of importance and celebration in communities, mostly in the United States, with appreciation for Mexican culture.

Though many mistakenly think Cinco de Mayo is "Mexican Independence Day", it isn't. Cinco de Mayo began as a celebration marking the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Peubla, or "Battalla de Puebla", which was fought in 1862.

Cinco de Mayo has become largely a celebration in the United States. The holiday receives much less attention in Mexico than it does here.

The Mexican-American War was fought in 1846 - 1848. Right after this war, during which the Americans defeated the Mexicans, Mexico entered a period of severe economic depression. After the war the French still occupied much of Mexico. In 1861 the president of Mexico, Benito Juarez, declared all debts Mexico owed to foreign countries could not be repaid for two years to help the country of Mexico get back on its feet financially. President Juarez promised payments on all foreign debts would start again after the two years. But, the French, the English and the Spanish refused to honor President Juarez's plan and demanded payment.

Though the English and Spanish soon left Mexico, the French refused to leave. They wanted to stay and build an empire in Mexico under the rule of Napoleon III. Part of the French refusal to leave Mexico had to do with its fear the United States was growing too big and too strong. They felt they needed to keep their power in Mexico.

In 1862 Mexican leaders, with an army of about 5,000 poorly equipped, ill prepared Mestizo and Zapotec Indians, bravely fought the French at the Battle of Puebla under the military command of General Ignacio Zaragoza and defeated the French on May 5. Thus began the celebration of the day we now know as "Cinco de Mayo."

Today, Cinco de Mayo is largely a Mexican style celebration in the United States. Many festivals are held across the nation to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, as well as honor traditional Mexican culture. The celebrations today typically include traditional foods, mariachi music, folk dress and folk dance. Cinco de Mayo offers a chance for all people to join together to celebrate one of the many cultures we enjoy in our country.

Information compiled from the following web sites:

www.vivacincodemayo.org
www.clnet.ucla.edu
www.kidsdomain.com
www.cincodemayo.org