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Alternate titles: Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Article History Table of ContentsBattle of Puebla See all media Related Topics:Mexico holiday May...(Show more) See all related content → Cinco de Mayo, (Spanish: “Fifth of May”) also called Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honour of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. When in 1861 Mexico declared a temporary moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts, English, Spanish, and French troops invaded the country. By April 1862 the English and Spanish had withdrawn, but the French, with the support of wealthy landowners, remained in an attempt to establish a monarchy under Maximilian of Austria and to curb U.S. power in North America. On May 5, 1862, a poorly equipped mestizo and Zapotec force under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City; about 1,000 French troops were killed. Although the fighting continued and the French were not driven out for another five years, the victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination. The city, which was later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza, is the site of a museum devoted to the battle, and the battlefield itself is maintained as a park. More From Britannica Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?Cinco de MayoCinco de MayoThe day is celebrated in the state of Puebla with parades, speeches, and reenactments of the 1862 battle, though it is not much noticed in most of the rest of the country. In the mid-20th-century United States, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo became among Mexican immigrants a way of encouraging pride in their Mexican heritage. Critics observed that enthusiasm for the holiday celebration did not take off with a broader demographic until it was explicitly linked with the promotion of Mexican alcoholic beverages and that many U.S. festivities tended to both perpetuate negative stereotypes of Mexicans and promote excessive drinking. Cinco de Mayo is not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which falls on September 16. The latter holiday was established in 1810, some 50 years before the Battle of Puebla occurred. Do people in Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo?Cinco de Mayo in Mexico
Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza's unlikely victory occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events.
Why does the US celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than Mexico?UCLA researchers say Cinco De Mayo's popularity in the U.S. began in California during our own civil war in the 1860s as a response to the resistance against continued European efforts to colonize Latin America. It also tied in with support of the Union in the U.S. Civil War.
Does Cinco de Mayo honor Mexican culture?Cinco de Mayo has evolved to celebrate not just a military victory, but also Mexico's rich culture and heritage. Observe this day in your classroom by exploring the historical significance of this holiday, and honoring Mexican culture with your students.
What country doesn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo?While Spain doesn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a similar festival known as Dos de Mayo (“2nd of May”) is held. Dos de Mayo honors the French defeat in 1808 at the hands of Spanish forces, celebrated mostly around Madrid. Similar to the Battle of Puebla celebrations, Dos de Mayo is a regional holiday.
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