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The History of Cinco de Mayo and How It’s Celebrated

There is more to this celebration of Mexican heritage than beer, mariachi bands and wild parties.

By Ilaria Parogni

More than being an excuse to treat oneself to nachos , tacos , mezcal and margaritas , Cinco de Mayo has a history that runs deep and continues to serve as a vehicle conveying Mexican culture, pride and values.

Here are a few things to know about the day:

What’s the significance of Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s unexpected victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The conflict between the two countries had begun in 1861, after Benito Juárez, then the president of Mexico, suspended the nation’s foreign debt payments, and Napoleon III responded by sending French troops to invade.

The victory in Puebla galvanized the Mexican forces but turned out to be short-lived, and France later occupied the country, installing Maximilian I as emperor. Not until 1867 did the new Mexican Republic finally expel the French, execute Maximilian I and regain control of the country.

When and where is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

Cinco de Mayo literally means “May 5” in Spanish, which is when this celebration of Mexican heritage falls each year. The day, mostly commemorated by Mexican Americans north of the U.S. border, is also celebrated in Puebla, the town and region southeast of Mexico City , where the holiday originated.

Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico’s Independence Day?

No. Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day in the United States, but Mexican independence is actually celebrated on Sept. 16. On that day, in 1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo called upon the Mexican people to revolt against the rule of Spain, eventually leading to the War for Independence, which ended in 1821.

How did the holiday come to be celebrated in the United States?

Jessica Lavariega Monforti, the vice provost at California State University, Channel Islands, said that Cinco de Mayo had been celebrated in California every year since its inception in 1863. In that first year, Mexicans and Americans in the state came together to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla and use it to raise money and recruit men to aid those still fighting under the leadership of Juárez against the French.

Those early celebrations, Dr. Lavariega Monforti said, were mostly about fighting for democracy and freedom against white supremacists and other oppressors — both in Mexico and in Civil War-era California, where Latinos mostly favored a Union victory over the Confederacy.

Cinco de Mayo continued to be celebrated in the United States, largely thanks to the efforts of those of Mexican descent. Jeffrey M. Pilcher, a professor of history at the University of Toronto, said followers of the dictator Porfirio Díaz, who ruled Mexico intermittently between 1876 and 1911, and had been a general in the Battle of Puebla, continued to celebrate Cinco de Mayo while living in exile in the American south.

The celebration gradually became a festival for Mexicans and Mexican Americans across the country, as well as part of a developing Mexican-American civil rights movement that started in the 1940s. Many activists started pointing to Cinco de Mayo as a source of pride, Dr. Lavariega Monforti said.

Over time, however, that message of cultural pride seemed to get lost. Mr. Pilcher said that Cinco de Mayo began to take off in the United States in the 1970s and ’80s, when brewing companies began capitalizing on it as a way to appeal to consumers amid the rising popularity of Mexican restaurants.

“By the 1990s, most of the public discourse about the day had been refocused on it as a time to consume imported beer, tequila and Mexican food,” Dr. Lavariega Monforti said.

What are some ways people celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

In Mexico, the festivity is marked in the state of Puebla with historical re-enactments of the Battle of Puebla, parades, mariachi music, colorful costumes and fireworks. “For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other. It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open,” said Dr. Lavariega Monforti.

Celebrations are more visible in the United States. Dr. Lavariega Monforti said that some communities in the United States, especially those with roots in the Puebla region, have attempted to reclaim the celebration as their own in recent years.

These efforts are mostly visible in larger cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, where events are dedicated to the celebrations of dance, literature and food from Puebla. In New York City, some Mexican folkloric troupes are also treating Cinco de Mayo as an opportunity to direct attention to the historic events and culture of the Puebla region .

“It seems that these efforts are direct responses to the consumerism surrounding Cinco de Mayo, and the commercialization of Latino culture in the United States,” Dr. Lavariega Monforti said.

U.S. presidents traditionally mark the occasion, too. President Biden and Jill Biden, the first lady, will host a Cinco de Mayo reception in the Rose Garden on Thursday, which will also be attended by Beatriz Gutierrez Muller , the first lady of Mexico.

What should I eat on Cinco de Mayo?

There is no Mexican dish associated with the festivity, Mr. Pilcher explained, but it can still be an occasion to gather and honor Mexico’s, and Puebla’s own, culinary traditions.

Pedro Reyes, a Mexican food writer and creative director at Paladar, a Mexican company devoted to the development of culinary projects, said that mole poblano , the chocolate-rich version of mole that originated in Puebla, might be a good pick for a Cinco de Mayo-inspired feast . He suggested pairing the dish with chalupas, small fried tortillas enjoyed with a variety of fillings; white rice; nopales salad ; fried beans; and molotes de plátano , stuffed plantain patties. Besides beer and tequila, beverages could include agua fresca, a light fruit drink in flavors like hibiscus , horchata and tamarind, as well as pulque, a fermented alcoholic drink.

And please, keep your peas as far as you can from your avocados , at least on this occasion. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like them, I can eat them,” Mr. Reyes said. “But where’s the need to mess with my guacamole?”

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The real history of cinco de mayo.

The first frozen margarita machine in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

Cinco de Mayo isn’t the same as Mexico’s Independence Day. (That’s Sept. 16.) The holiday celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862.

A year prior, Mexican President Benito Juarez suspended payment of all foreign debts. In response, France invaded Mexico. Mexican soldiers were outnumbered two to one by the better-equipped French army, but in the town of Puebla, the Mexican force prevailed. The victory boosted the Mexican army’s morale and national pride.

The French went on to capture Mexico City and install Emperor Maximillian I as the ruler. In 1866, with political and military assistance from the U.S., the Mexican army expelled the French and captured and executed Maximilian I.

Juarez reassumed the presidency and declared that May 5, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, would be a national holiday.

The first Cinco de Mayo celebrations didn’t include margaritas—those weren’t invented until the 1940s. And consistently frosty beverages wouldn’t come until the invention of the frozen margarita machine .

Frozen margaritas, blended with ice, became popular in the 1950s, and by the 1970s, the margarita surpassed the martini as the most popular American cocktail.

At Mariano's Mexican Cuisine, a Dallas restaurant, the blenders couldn’t keep up. In 1971, inspired by the 7-Eleven Slurpee machine, owner Mariano Martinez and his friend Frank Adams adapted a soft-serve ice-cream machine to make margarita “slush.” After 34 years of service, the first one was retired to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History .

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What is Cinco de Mayo? The holiday's origin and why it's celebrated in Mexico, US

Cinco de mayo has long been misunderstood by many americans, partly because it's easy to say and american classrooms often include little celebrating the history of people of color..

Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico's against-all-odds victory against invading French troops in 1862.

But to some Americans, it's simply Cinco de Drinko, an excuse to party with little to no understanding of what the Mexican holiday celebrates. Many who think they know what Cinco de Mayo is about wrongly assume it's Mexico's Independence Day. (It's not.)

"Everyone thinks that it's just party time, it's Corona time," said Mario García, a Chicanx historian from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

"It's OK for people to go out and have a good time on a holiday like Cinco de Mayo -- at least they have some sense that it's some kind of a Mexican holiday," García said. "But we should go beyond that. We should have Cinco de Mayo events that go beyond partying and drinking, where we call attention to what the history is."

So what does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?

Mexican Independence Day, or Día de la Independencia, came on Sept. 16, 1810, when the country broke free of Spanish rule.

Cinco de Mayo came more than 50 years later when French Emperor Napoleon III wanted to claim Mexico for himself.

The French sent troops to force Mexico's President Benito Juárez and the government out of Veracruz. On May 5, 1862, in a small town in east-central Mexico called Puebla, 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced 6,000 French troops at daybreak. Incredibly, Mexico claimed victory by the evening, and Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.

The battle also played a role in the American Civil War. With the French defeated and leaving North America, the Confederacy wasn't able to use them as an ally to win the war.

So why are so many Americans still confused?

Part of the confusion among many Americans about what Cinco de Mayo celebrates is likely because it's much catchier-sounding and easier for English speakers to say than the day of Mexico's independence (Diez y seis de Septiembre), García said.

But also a huge problem is that not enough American classrooms teach the importance of Chicanx history and its people's contributions to the U.S.

"When you study the history of Chicanos and Latinos, of course, they've been history makers," García said. "They've been involved in all aspects of American history, not to mention the wars ... In World War II alone, almost half a million Latinos – mostly Mexican Americans – fought in the war. And they won a disproportionate number of congressional Medals of Honor."

Why is Cinco de Mayo more popular in the U.S. than Mexico?

While there are Cinco De Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, notably in the city of Puebla, the event doesn't compare to the celebrations of Día de la Independencia, García said.

Meanwhile in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture.

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

"It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," García said. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."

By the 1980s, companies began commercializing the holiday, especially by beer companies and restaurants that will offer Cinco de Mayo specials and cocktails. García jokingly refers to the day as "Corona Day."

This Cinco de Mayo, García hopes everyone enjoys their Coronas, but perhaps with a little history lesson to wash it down.

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Jordan Mendoza and Maria Jimenez Moya contributed to this report.

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The victorious origins of Cinco de Mayo

Behind modern Cinco de Mayo celebrations is the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a Mexican triumph over French colonial forces.

Parades, brightly colored dresses, sizzling street food, festive music, and laughter fills the streets every May 5, a date circled in revolutionary red on any Mexican calendar. On May 5, 1862, a ragtag Mexican army defeated the better-equipped hosts of the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. The battle itself did not decide the war—the French returned to capture Puebla and Mexico City in 1863. France controlled Mexico until 1867, when Mexican troops overthrew their government and returned to being an independent republic.

Over time, the Battle of Puebla grew in national significance. The victory strengthened the morale of a very young Mexico and became the rallying cry of resistance to foreign domination. In commemoration of this day, Cinco de Mayo began as a celebration of the French defeat, but the holiday has grown and changed with time. For Mexicans in Puebla, as well as Mexican-Americans in the United States, it has become a complex symbol of Mexican culture, resilience, and character.

A popular part of Mexican Cinco de Mayo celebrations is a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla. In Mexico City, residents dressed as Zacapoaxtla Indians and French soldiers re-create the Mexican victory.

Fractured Foundations

To understand the Battle of Puebla, it is necessary to understand the roots of Mexico itself, going back to the 16th century. After Spain defeated the Aztec Empire in 1521, a new, blended society arose in Mexico, bringing together several different cultures. Finding a balance between its pre-Hispanic roots and new European identity proved challenging.

For three centuries after Cortés’s invasion, España Nueva (New Spain) was the most important overseas province of the Spanish Empire. It was ruled by a viceroyalty made up of many indigenous aristocratic families who had sought an alliance with the Spanish in order to defeat the Aztec Empire. Even so, resentment and tensions between Mexican natives, the Spanish, and the criollos —those of European origin who had been born in America—continued to grow, creating a shaky basis for the colony.

In 1808 Spain was invaded by the Napoleonic armies, which weakened Spanish control of New Spain. Many of the colonists wanted independence, and like many other colonies in the New World, they seized their moment and rebelled. On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest and political leader in the central Mexican town of Dolores, exhorted Mexicans to rise up in a fiery speech delivered from his pulpit—the “Cry of Dolores.” War followed, ending with Mexico’s defeat of Spain in 1821. Hidalgo became the father of his country, and September 16 is celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day.

Path to Puebla

In January 1862 European forces disembarked at Veracruz. Despite the diplomatic triumph at La Soledad, after which Spanish and British troops decided to withdraw, French forces seemed poised to march on Mexico City. On March 6, with Mexican commander Ignacio Zaragoza already facing a vastly superior foe, disaster struck. A huge arms dump on the outskirts of San Andrés Chalchicomula was accidently detonated, killing hundreds of soldiers and civilians and depleting Zaragoza’s reserves of munitions. Meanwhile, General Lorencez, the French commander, advanced across the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains at the Cumbres de Acultzingo, was met by General Zaragoza on April 28, who, despite admirable resistance, was forced to retreat under the intensity of the French attack. The French swept relentlessly on, aiming for the interior. The next major obstacle was Puebla, which they reached on May 5.

Even though the colonists had been united in a desire to be free, Mexicans were divided over the direction of their new nation. For the next 40 years, internal tensions wracked the country. Liberals, conservatives, and centralists all clashed as they sought to define Mexico’s future.

For Hungry Minds

Internal upheaval and economic fragility were compounded by war with the United States in the 1840s. Disputes over control of Texas drew Mexico into a two-year conflict with its northern neighbor in 1846. In a humiliating surrender, Mexico ceded to the United States its claims to Texas, Utah, Nevada, and California, along with swaths of what are now Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming in 1848.

Reeling from the defeat, political tensions increased. The liberal faction favored the separation of church and state and freedom of religion, while the conservatives wanted to maintain ties between Mexico’s government and the Catholic Church. Another internal conflict ensued, later known as the Reform War, which ended in 1860 with a liberal victory. The next year, Benito Juárez became president. Born to Mesoamerican parents, Juárez would soon become a crucial player in the Cinco de Mayo story.

Following the liberal resumption of power, disaffected conservatives approached France’s Napoleon III to intervene. The French ruler was only too keen to move into the space left by the crumbling Spanish Empire, as well as provide a check on the expansion of the United States. Napoleon III also had a perfect excuse to invade: an 80-million-peso debt Mexico owed to European nations, including France.

The Square of the Three Cultures in Mexico City embodies the many different ethnicities that shaped the nation. It is dominated by the Church of Santiago de Tlatelolco (right), built in the 16th century over the still visible ruins of Aztec-era temples. Nearby, a plaque describes the toppling of the Aztec Empire by Spain in 1521: “Neither a victory nor a defeat, but the painful moment of birth of the Mexico of today, a race of Mestizos."

To War Again

The Mexican-American War and the Reform War devastated Mexico’s economy. The nation had taken loans from the United Kingdom, Spain, and France to finance these war efforts, but now Mexico was hard-pressed to pay them back. In the summer of 1861, in an attempt to stabilize Mexico’s war-torn finances, Juárez announced that payment would stop for two years. In a short-lived alliance, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France sent a joint military expedition to force Mexico to honor the debt. By January 1862, 6,000 Spanish soldiers, 3,000 French troops, and 700 British soldiers disembarked in the Mexican port of Veracruz.

Before the forces moved toward Mexico City, the country’s capital, Juárez sent an ambassador to negotiate with the European powers. A meeting was organized in a hacienda near Veracruz named La Soledad on February 19, 1862. There, the Mexican foreign minister, Manuel Doblado, met with the British and the Spanish representatives, who eventually agreed to the Mexican requests to defer payment of the debt. The parties agreed not to advance out of agreed zones near Veracruz while negotiation of the debt was being resolved. The French, however, had their own agenda. Days after talks began at La Soledad, more French troops disembarked, commanded by French general Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Comte de Lorencez.

French intentions were now evident to all, and clearly had little to do with a default on a loan. Napoleon III wanted to topple the Juárez government to access Mexico’s resources and, in particular, to take advantage of the instability in the United States, then embroiled in its own civil war and unable to stop a French advance.

Heroes and Villains

A Tale of Two Armies

Juárez acted quickly and created a new battalion known as the Army of the East, commanded by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. The president ordered the fortification of the city of Puebla, anticipating a French march on Mexico City. As predicted, the French troops were advancing on Puebla by late April 1862—on the way to the coveted capital.

The differences between the two armies were glaring. The French army regarded itself as the best in the world, having remained undefeated since the Battle of Waterloo, nearly half a century before. The well-dressed French soldiers were also well armed with pistols, carbines, bayonets, and cannons, and had the invaluable support of the Zouaves, elite French military troops feared all over Europe for their ferocity, The Mexican side, meanwhile, was hampered by lack of combat experience. The few weapons they had were old, and their troops were underfed. To make matters worse, the country was polarized, with the conservative faction preferring a foreign intervention to being an independent republic.

A Zouave soldier is depicted fighting in the Crimean War (1853-56) in an illustration from 1858. Brave, disciplined, and experts in close combat, the Zouaves were regarded as ideal for Napoleon III’s plan to invade Mexico. Men from the Zwawa tribe from Algeria first formed this elite group in the 1830s, but over time its ranks grew to include men of European descent. They fought successfully in the Crimean War (1853-56)—in which General Lorencez also fought. Their role in the Battle of Puebla was exemplary. They spearheaded the French attack, yet though they fought fiercely against the defenders, their commander’s errors cost them the battle.

A great deal, therefore, was at stake, and, at first, the Mexicans looked doomed. On April 28, the Sixth Battalion of the National Guard of the State of Puebla, formed by 4,000 precariously armed Mexicans, had their first encounter against superior French troops at the Cumbres de Acultzingo. After his resounding victory there, General Lorencez boasted: “We are so superior to the Mexicans in organization, race . . . and refinement of manners, that I am pleased to announce to His Imperial Majesty, Napoleon III, that from this moment on, as the leader of my 6,000 brave soldiers, I can consider myself the owner of Mexico.”

On the night of May 3, General Zaragoza arrived in Puebla. Sources vary on the exact number of men under his command, with estimates ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 men. Because he was outnumbered and outgunned, it was crucial that Zaragoza formulate a strong defense to hold the city. Puebla was surrounded by several stone forts, most notably Loreto and Guadalupe, which both stood atop a hill on the northern side of the city. The soldiers fortified Puebla by digging trenches, building breastworks, and repairing the forts as best they could.

Zaragoza then placed his men in strategic points throughout Puebla. Roughly a thousand would defend the northern side and its forts, with the remaining troops kept in reserve to counterattack any direct assault. The plan was set, and now all Zaragoza and his men had to do was wait for the French to arrive.

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Bells of puebla.

Just after 9 a.m. on May 5, the Mexican forces spotted the French enemy on the horizon. Zaragoza and his men sat tight, while Lorencez began his attack. The French plan was to bomb the forts first in order to weaken the enemy’s defences and then charge in an all-out assault.

The plan may have seemed sound on paper, but in practice it failed to make much impact. The French began shelling Fort Guadalupe at 11:45 a.m., but the old stone walls held true. Discouraged, Lorencez moved his artillery closer, but the angle of the new position made targeting more difficult. By midday more than half their ammunition was gone, with little impact on the forts. It was time to change tactics.

A 19th-century engraving of Puebla shows the locations of the Loreto and Guadalupe forts.

Lorencez ordered his soldiers to attack. The brilliant defenses set up by Zaragoza kept the French at bay. As the soldiers advanced, Mexican guns in the forts fired on them from above. On the ground the ragtag fighters held true, some armed only with machetes and metal-tipped wooden spears. Three times, Lorencez sent in waves of his soldiers, and three times they were turned back. Around 2 p.m. a hard rain began to fall, soaking the battlefield. It was as if Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, was displaying his fury against the French soldiers.

With the ground made slick by rain and mounting casualties, Lorencez was forced to retreat. Zaragoza and his men had won the day. The bells of Puebla rang out, and that night the victorious Mexican forces celebrated by singing “La Marseillaise,” the song of the French revolution (and now France’s national anthem), which was banned at the time by Napoleon III.

There is no denying that the Mexicans fought with courage, but it is equally obvious that Lorencez made costly mistakes, a point made by Zaragoza in the telegram he sent to Juárez immediately after the battle: “The French troops showed their valor in combat and their leader his arrogance, foolishness, and clumsiness.”

Lorencez made two major misjudgments: First, he concentrated his attack on the city’s well-defended forts, instead of making for the city, which was more vulnerable. The other miscalculation was to position his cannons over a mile from the fortifications, much too far away for the projectiles to strike with full force. When Napoleon III heard of his incompetence, he immediately relieved him of his command.

A 19th-century engraving by Frederick Catherwood shows Veracruz where European forces disembarked.

Dispatches from the Front

While the battle raged in Puebla, in Mexico City the Juárez government waited desperately for news. Zaragoza’s silence made the president fear the annihilation of his forces. But just after 4 p.m. Zaragoza sent a laconic telegram informing that “the enemy has showered us with grenades. Their columns attacking the Loreto and Guadalupe hills have been repelled and we were probably attacked by four thousand men. All their push was towards the hill. Then their columns retreated and our forces advanced towards them. A heavy storm then started.”

He said nothing, however, of the final result. Zaragoza’s next telegram, arriving just before 6 p.m., clarified the outcome. Just before 8 p.m. Juárez received the best possible news: “Mr. President. I am very happy with the behavior of my generals and soldiers. They have all performed well . . . Let this be for good, Mr. President. I wish that our dear homeland, now so despondent, is one day happy and respected by all Nations.”

The joy was, however, short-lived, and only delayed the inevitable. The Mexicans had tasted victory in this battle, but the French took Puebla two years later, and Juárez’s government was defeated. With the support of Mexico’s conservatives, Napoleon III imposed the Austrian-Habsburg Maximilian as Mexico’s puppet king. Only in 1867, after the United States funded the anti-Maximilian resistance, was Juárez restored as president, and Maximilian executed.

Death of an Emperor

Édouard Manet’s “Execution of Emperor Maximilian” (Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany) is an unsettling, ambiguous depiction of the violent conclusion of French interference in Mexico in 1867. There is pity for the condemned man, and perhaps criticism for the manner in which Napoleon III had sacrificed this puppet king to his ignominious death. In any case, with this execution, European colonial activity in Mexico—which had begun in 1519—was now at an end.

Victory Celebration

Ignacio Zaragoza would never live to see the French expelled from Mexico. At only age 33, he died of typhus four months after the famous victory. To honor his memory, Juárez decided to join his name to the city that had brought him fame, renaming it Puebla de Zaragoza. In June 1867, after returning to power, Juárez also commemorated the battle itself by declaring May 5 a national holiday.

Since then, Mexican celebrations of Cinco de Mayo have traditionally been held in Puebla. Visitors flock to the city in May for parades and a reenactment of the famous battle. In the United States holiday observances have grown larger and more widespread. From Los Angeles to New York City, Mexican-American communities celebrate not only a military victory but also a proud Mexican heritage with parades, colorful dancers, traditional music, and delicious food.

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Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla

Mexican Courage Carries the Day

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Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday which celebrates the victory over French forces on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. It is often mistakenly thought to be Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16 . More of an emotional victory than a military one, to Mexicans the Battle of Puebla represents Mexican resolve and bravery in the face of an overwhelming foe.

The Reform War

The Battle of Puebla was not an isolated incident: there is a long and complicated history that led up to it. In 1857, the “ Reform War ” broke out in Mexico. It was a civil war and it pitted Liberals (who believed in separation of church and state and freedom of religion) against the Conservatives (who favored a tight bond between the Roman Catholic Church and the Mexican State). This brutal, bloody war left the nation in shambles and bankrupt. When the war was over in 1861, Mexican President Benito Juarez suspended all payment of foreign debt: Mexico simply did not have any money.

Foreign Intervention

This angered Great Britain, Spain, and France, countries which were owed a great deal of money. The three nations agreed to work together to force Mexico to pay. The United States, which had considered Latin America its “backyard” since the Monroe Doctrine (1823), was going through a Civil War of its own and in no position to do anything about European intervention in Mexico.

In December 1861 armed forces of the three nations arrived off the coast of Veracruz and landed a month later, in January 1862. Desperate last-minute diplomatic efforts by the Juarez administration persuaded Britain and Spain that a war that would further devastate the Mexican economy was in no one’s interest, and Spanish and British forces left with a promise of future payment. France, however, was unconvinced and French forces remained on Mexican soil.

French March on Mexico City

French forces captured the city of Campeche on February 27 and reinforcements from France arrived soon after. By early March, France’s modern military machine had an efficient army in place, poised to capture Mexico City. Under the command of the Count of Lorencez, a veteran of the Crimean War , the French Army set out for Mexico City. When they reached Orizaba, they held up for a while, as many of their troops had become ill. Meanwhile, an army of Mexican regulars under the command of 33-year-old Ignacio Zaragoza marched to meet him. The Mexican Army was about 4,500 men strong: the French numbered approximately 6,000 and were much better armed and equipped than the Mexicans. The Mexicans occupied the city of Puebla and its two forts, Loreto and Guadalupe.

French Attack

On the morning of May 5, Lorencez moved to attack. He believed that Puebla would fall easily: his incorrect information suggested that the garrison was much smaller than it really was and that the people of Puebla would surrender easily rather than risk much damage to their city. He decided on a direct assault, ordering his men to concentrate on the strongest part of the defense: Guadalupe fortress, which stood on a hill overlooking the city. He believed that once his men had taken the fort and had a clear line to the city, the people of Puebla would be demoralized and would surrender quickly. Attacking the fortress directly would prove a major mistake.

Lorencez moved his artillery into position and by noon had begun shelling Mexican defensive positions. He ordered his infantry to attack three times: each time they were repulsed by the Mexicans. The Mexicans were almost overrun by these assaults, but bravely held their lines and defended the forts. By the third attack, the French artillery was running out of shells and therefore the final assault was unsupported by artillery.

French Retreat

The third wave of French infantry was forced to retreat. It had begun to rain, and the foot troops were moving slowly. With no fear of the French artillery, Zaragoza ordered his cavalry to attack the retreating French troops. What had been an orderly retreat became a rout, and Mexican regulars streamed out of the forts to pursue their foes. Lorencez was forced to move the survivors to a distant position and Zaragoza called his men back to Puebla. At this point in the battle, a young general named Porfirio Díaz made a name for himself, leading a cavalry attack.

“The National Arms Have Covered Themselves in Glory”

It was a sound defeat for the French. Estimates place French casualties around 460 dead with almost that many wounded, while only 83 Mexicans were killed.

Lorencez’s quick retreat prevented the defeat from becoming a disaster, but still, the battle became a huge morale-booster for the Mexicans. Zaragoza sent a message to Mexico City, famously declaring “ Las armas nacionales se han cubierto de gloria ” or “The national arms (weapons) have covered themselves in glory.” In Mexico City, President Juarez declared May 5th a national holiday in remembrance of the battle.

The Battle of Puebla was not very important to Mexico from a military standpoint. Lorencez was allowed to retreat and hold onto the towns he had already captured. Soon after the battle, France sent 27,000 troops to Mexico under a new commander, Elie Frederic Forey. This massive force was well beyond anything the Mexicans could resist, and it swept into Mexico City in June of 1863. On the way, they besieged and captured Puebla. The French installed Maximilian of Austria , a young Austrian nobleman, as Emperor of Mexico. Maximilian’s reign lasted until 1867 when President Juarez was able to drive the French out and restore the Mexican government. Young General Zaragoza died of typhoid not long after the Battle of Puebla.

Although the Battle of Puebla amounted to little from a military sense -- it merely postponed the inevitable victory of the French army, which was larger, better trained and better equipped than the Mexicans -- it nevertheless meant a great deal to Mexico in terms of pride and hope. It showed them that the mighty French war machine was not invulnerable, and that determination and courage were powerful weapons.

The victory was a huge boost to Benito Juarez and his government. It allowed him to hold onto power at a time when he was in danger of losing it, and it was Juarez who eventually led his people to victory against the French in 1867.

The battle also marks the arrival on the political scene of Porfirio Díaz, then a brash young general who disobeyed Zaragoza in order to chase down fleeing French troops. Díaz would eventually get a lot of the credit for the victory and he used his new fame to run for president against Juárez. Although he lost, he would eventually reach the presidency and lead his nation for many years .

French Intervention in Mexico: Battle of Puebla
Cinco de Mayo for Kids
The Facts and History of Cinco de Mayo
¿Por qué celebran el Cinco de Mayo?: Cinco de Mayo in Spanish and English
Important Dates in Mexican History
Biography of Porfirio Diaz, Ruler of Mexico for 35 Years
Free Cinco de Mayo Printables
The Wars of Mexico
7 Famous People in Mexican History
The Battle of Buena Vista
The Mexican-American War
Mexico's Independence Day: September 16
The Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican-American War
Biography of Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico
Mexican National Holidays
Mexican-American War: Battle of Chapultepec

Celebrating Mexico’s Underdog Victory: the True Story of Cinco De Mayo

This essay takes a deep dive into the true essence of Cinco de Mayo, unraveling its history beyond the common misconceptions and commercial hype. It begins by setting the scene of the underdog victory of the Mexican army against the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, emphasizing that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day but a commemoration of resilience and courage. The piece highlights how Mexican-American communities in the 1960s adopted the day as a symbol of cultural pride, leading to its widespread celebration in the United States. While acknowledging the vibrant festivities that characterize the day in the U.S., including parades, music, and food, the essay stresses the importance of understanding and respecting the historical roots of Cinco de Mayo. It addresses concerns over the commercialization and potential cultural misrepresentation of the holiday, urging a balance between celebration and cultural sensitivity. Overall, the essay presents Cinco de Mayo as a day of deep historical significance, celebrating not just a military triumph, but the enduring spirit of cultural identity and resilience. Additionally, PapersOwl presents more free essays samples linked to Mexico.

How it works

So, let’s set the record straight about Cinco de Mayo. It’s often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day and an excuse for endless margaritas and tacos. But the real story? It’s way more gripping and meaningful than just a party theme.

Picture this: It’s 1862, and Mexico is underdog central. They’re up against the French – yeah, the guys who were pretty much the military big shots of the era. The French, eyeing Mexico as a potential puppet empire under Napoleon III, were confident, to say the least.

But here’s where it gets spicy: the Mexican army, scrappy and outnumbered, pulls off a David vs. Goliath move and trounces the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5. Spoiler alert: this wasn’t the war winner, but it sure gave the Mexican troops a massive morale boost.

Fast forward to today, and you’ll find that Cinco de Mayo is actually a bigger deal in the United States than in Mexico. The reason? Mexican-American communities in the 60s took this day and ran with it as a symbol of cultural pride and heritage. It’s like they found a historical gem that resonated with their story, their struggles, and their triumphs.

In the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has morphed into a massive cultural celebration. Think parades, music, dancing, and yes, the food (because who doesn’t love a good taco?). But let’s not forget what this day is really about – it’s a hat tip to an underdog victory, a story of resilience.

Now, there’s a bit of a catch. With all the commercial hoopla, the true essence of Cinco de Mayo often gets lost in translation. Some folks argue that the historical part of the day is getting drowned out by stereotypes and marketing gimmicks. It’s a valid point. Celebrating is great, but keeping the real story alive and kicking is crucial. Understanding the history makes the party more than just a party – it’s a celebration with depth and meaning.

In wrapping up, Cinco de Mayo is more than just an excuse to party. It’s a day that commemorates a remarkable moment in history – a time when the underdog showed their might. So, as we enjoy the festivities, let’s also raise a glass to the spirit of resilience and freedom that Cinco de Mayo truly represents. It’s a story worth remembering, a celebration worth understanding, and a day that brings a little bit of historical spice to our lives.

Cite this page

Celebrating Mexico's Underdog Victory: The True Story of Cinco de Mayo. (2024, Jan 09). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/celebrating-mexicos-underdog-victory-the-true-story-of-cinco-de-mayo/

"Celebrating Mexico's Underdog Victory: The True Story of Cinco de Mayo." PapersOwl.com , 9 Jan 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/celebrating-mexicos-underdog-victory-the-true-story-of-cinco-de-mayo/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Celebrating Mexico's Underdog Victory: The True Story of Cinco de Mayo . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/celebrating-mexicos-underdog-victory-the-true-story-of-cinco-de-mayo/ [Accessed: 1 Jun. 2024]

"Celebrating Mexico's Underdog Victory: The True Story of Cinco de Mayo." PapersOwl.com, Jan 09, 2024. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/celebrating-mexicos-underdog-victory-the-true-story-of-cinco-de-mayo/

"Celebrating Mexico's Underdog Victory: The True Story of Cinco de Mayo," PapersOwl.com , 09-Jan-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/celebrating-mexicos-underdog-victory-the-true-story-of-cinco-de-mayo/. [Accessed: 1-Jun-2024]

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Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta Fun!

Check out these surprising facts about this celebration.

You might hear about Cinco de Mayo parties. But even though celebrations of Cinco de Mayo (which translates to the Fifth of May) originated in Mexico , the day is more popular in the United States!

So what does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? On the morning of May 5, 1862, 6,000 French troops stormed the Mexican city of Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza to bring it under French rule. The Mexican soldiers were outnumbered, but they fiercely fought back. By early evening, the French had retreated.

Now the people of Puebla, Mexico, observe the holiday Cinco de Mayo to celebrate this victory. The holiday is also widely celebrated in the United States. Americans use the celebration to honor the battle as well as Mexican culture.

In the United States, people attend parades with colorfully dressed dancers, listen to lively Mexican folk music called mariachi, and eat millions of avocados in traditional eats such as guacamole. Washington, D.C., even holds the Running of the Chihuahuas, where Chihuahuas (a breed that originated in Mexico) race each other for fun. Cinco de Mayo might be celebrated on the fifth day of May, but it gets a ten on the fun scale.

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On Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Thinking of celebrating Cinco de Mayo at your school this year? Learn from history about some of the potentially insensitive pitfalls.

1901 poster for Cinco de Mayo: "May 5, 1862 and the siege of Puebla"

In 2015, The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a free-speech appeal which was filed after a handful of high school students were prohibited from wearing American flag t-shirts to school on Cinco de Mayo.

Commenting upon the notoriety of the case, reporter David G. Savage noted that although schools have restricted insensitive student clothing in the past, this case “drew greater attention because an American flag was considered the provocative message.”

>One might wonder how wearing an American flag could be problematic. As Clayton A. Hurd’s 2008 case study demonstrates, the celebration of Mexican holidays at one school heightened existing racial tensions after a white student touted the American flag on his face and in his hands while making disparaging remarks to his classmates of Mexican-descent. In both cases—Hurd’s and the one brought to Supreme Court—white students were disciplined after using the U.S. flag as a symbolic weapon to assert their “American-ness” (or, more generally, whiteness) in order to intimidate and provoke students of Mexican descent.

Hurd explores the exclusion and violence that many Mexican-descent students experienced at Hillside High, particularly as related to the school-wide celebration of Cinco de Mayo (commemorating the Battle of Puebla Day which led to Napoleon’s 1862 defeat) and Dieciséis de Septiembre (celebrating Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810). Hurd describes Hillside as a bimodal school on California’s central coast with about half white and half Mexican-descent students. Prior to mandatory, school-wide celebrations of these holidays, Hillside High had taken the “cultural consumption approach” to celebrating Cinco de Mayo. This approach often features entertainment and Americanized Mexican food. (Daniel Enrique Pérez explores such white commodification and appropriation of Cinco de Mayo beautifully in this poem.)

Hurd observes that conflicts arose when administrators sponsored mandatory celebrations of both holidays. Originally administrators hoped that actively promoting these holidays would “promote mutual respect, intercultural understanding, and equal status among students.” However, the school celebrations had the opposite effect. Both white and Mexican-descent students used flags during the celebrations. Mexican-descent students used the Mexican flag to express their belonging and inclusion. The white students, on the other hand, used the American flag for exclusionary purposes.

After a white Hillside student was disciplined for his aggressive behavior with the flag, white parents began complaining about the public celebrations of Mexican holidays, undermining the holidays’ significance in the U.S., while Mexican-descent students “expressed a growing ambivalence about continuing such commemorations” because of the resulting problems and stress.

Hillside High’s principal summarized the root of the problem thus: “the biggest obstacle to getting teachers to address issues of race, status, and entitlement that have contributed to tensions between students is getting them to acknowledge that a racial problem actually exists at the school.”

Moving forward with cultural celebrations, schools could consider the principal’s sentiments in breaking the ideology of color-blindness, acknowledging existing racial tensions, learning about the many contexts and meanings of Cinco de Mayo in communities of Mexican-descent , and more intentionally planning and approaching such celebrations .

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Home / Essay Samples / Culture / Holidays / Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo Essay Examples

Celebration mexican army's victory: the history of cinco de mayo.

Cinco de Mayo, which means "Fifth of May" in Spanish, is a holiday celebrated on May 5th each year in the United States and Mexico. I will write about Cinco de Mayo holiday in the essay and answer some of the main questions what can...

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