Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo History

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican Army's victory over France during the French and Mexican War of 1862. The French army marched toward Mexico with the hopes of establishing a second Mexican empire. In the city of Puebla, Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza was able to successfully beat the French army. Cinco de Mayo commemorates this victory.

Cinco de Mayo is mostly celebrated in the United States as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. It was first celebrated in 1863 in California and eventually grew in popularity in the 20th century as marketers sought to capitalize off the day. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is considered a ceremonial holiday with marches or military parades. The city of Puebla usually holds a festival as well. This day is celebrated annually on the 5th of May.

Top 9 Facts for Cinco De Mayo in 2026

• While the holiday is widely celebrated, it is frequently confused with Mexican Independence Day, which actually commemorates the start of the war against Spain on September 16.
• The 1862 Battle of Puebla saw a smaller, poorly equipped Mexican militia defeat the elite French army of Napoleon III, a victory that became a powerful symbol of resistance against foreign imperialism.
• Some historians suggest that the Mexican victory may have influenced the American Civil War by deterring the French from providing support to the Confederacy.
• The celebration was first popularized in the United States during the 1960s by activists of the Chicano Movement who sought to highlight Mexican-American Heritage and civil rights.
• While many people associate the day with tacos, the authentic traditional dish of the observance is mole poblano, a rich, complex sauce originating from the city of Puebla that often contains dozens of ingredients, including chocolate and chili peppers.
• The observance has inspired various creative works, such as the classic funk song Cinco de Mayo by the band War and the cinematic portrayal of the conflict in the film Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla.
• Modern festivities drive a massive surge in agricultural demand, as it is estimated that over 80 million pounds of avocados are consumed in the United States for the preparation of guacamole during this period.
• In the state of Puebla, the event is marked by a massive military parade and a dramatic historical reenactment of the battle, though it remains a relatively minor holiday in most other parts of Mexico.
• Beyond traditional music, the holiday is often celebrated with performances of the Jarabe Tapatío, which is recognized as the national dance of Mexico.

In the News and Trending in the US for Cinco De Mayo

Top things to do in the US for Cinco De Mayo

• Go eat or have drinks at a Mexican restaurant.
• Make Margaritas with Mexican tequila.
• Attend a Cinco de Mayo Festival. Popular such festivals can be found in San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.
• Attend a Parade.
• Make a piñata with your friends. Piñatas usually contain sweets or treats that fall out once it has been smashed open.