Despite common misconceptions, Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is not Mexican Independence Day. Mexico gained independence from Spain on September 16, 1810. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Though a minor holiday in Mexico, Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the United States in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous and mestizos (people of mixed indigenous and Spain descent) over European invaders. Today, the victory is celebrated with parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods. Some of the largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

What exactly makes this battle so important?

In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juarez (himself a member of the Zapotec indigenous tribe) was forced to default on debt payments to foreign governments. While Mexico was able to negotiate an agreement with Spain and England, France’s Napoleon III saw this as an opportunity to carve an empire out of Mexico. By late 1861, 6,000 French troops were sent to siege Puebla and were met with an army of a mere 2,000 poorly armed troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. After a full day’s battle, France retreated with over 500 dead compared to less than 100 casualties on the Mexican side. Zaragoza’s success represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. In 1867—thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, France finally withdrew from Mexico.

Now celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the knowledge of knowing why you are celebrating.

Source: history.com