History of Cinco de Mayo
Jonathon Andrews
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a very minor holiday. It’s celebrated more in the United States, as a day of commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Cinco de Mayo actually only celebrates the victory of a single battle which took place in Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in Eastern Mexico. The French decided to attack this small town because they were sure it would result in a quick victory for them. This would further their attempt to carve out a section of Mexican territory for France.
There were about 2,000 Mexicans sent to Puebla to help defend it. They were outnumbered and didn’t have many supplies in comparison to the 6,000 French troops. On May 5th 1862, the French led their assault. The battle lasted from dawn until the early evening. The French lost around 500 soldiers. The Mexicans lost less than 100.
Even though this win wasn’t a huge deal in the entirety of the war between Mexico and France, it represented a symbolic victory for Puebla and it helped build the Mexican resistance. In 1867, the United States was able to help Mexico during the war until France withdrew from battle.
Not long after the victory at Puebla, the town started celebrating Cinco de Mayo. For most areas in Mexico, May 5th is just a regular day. Banks, offices, and stores are all still open, it isn’t a federal holiday. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Puebla by having military parades and by reenacting the battle of Puebla. In the United States people celebrate Cinco de Mayo by having parades, listening to mariachi music, and by eating traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos and mole poblano.
Many people think Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico gaining their independence. But this happened more than fifty years prior to the Battle of Puebla. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th.
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