On May 5th, 2024, people across the United States will raise a toast to honor Cinco de Mayo, a holiday commemorating Mexican culture, heritage, and an unlikely military victory over foreign forces.

While often misunderstood as Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo actually marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when vastly outnumbered Mexican troops defeated the invading French army against all odds.

The Origins of Cinco de Mayo

In the 1860s, Mexico was in dire financial straits after years of civil war and instability.

When the newly elected president, the Indigenous lawyer Benito Juárez, was forced to default on debt repayments to European countries, France took advantage of the situation.

Under Napoleon III, French forces invaded and occupied the coastal city of Veracruz in late 1861, driving Juárez’s government into retreat.

Confident of an easy conquest, 6,000 well-equipped French troops led by General Charles Latrille de Lorencez marched towards the small town of Puebla de Los Angeles.

Juárez managed to gather a ragtag force of just 2,000 men, many of them Indigenous Mexicans and mestizos led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, a Texas-born officer. On May 5, 1862, the two armies clashed in Puebla.

Against all expectations, the outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexican forces managed to halt the French assault after over 12 hours of fierce fighting.

By the end of the day, nearly 500 French soldiers had been killed, while Mexican casualties numbered less than 100.

While not a major strategic victory in the larger war, the Battle of Puebla represented an iconic moment of Mexican resilience and defiance against a vastly superior occupying force.

Celebrating Mexican Heritage

In the ensuing years, with aid from the United States after the Civil War, Mexico was eventually able to force the French to withdraw in 1867.

The same year, Emperor Maximilian I, installed by Napoleon, was captured and executed on Juarez’s orders.

The town of Puebla was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza to honor the general who led the improbable triumph over the French on May 5th.

While a relatively minor holiday within Mexico itself, Cinco de Mayo took on new significance when Latino activists in the United States began promoting it in the 1960s as a way to celebrate Mexican-American culture and heritage.

They identified with the indigenous Mexicans like Juárez and Zaragoza who overcame European oppression at Puebla.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is enthusiastically commemorated across the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

Festivities typically feature colorful parades, traditional folk dancing, mariachi music, and an abundance of authentic Mexican cuisine like tacos, enchiladas, and mole poblano.

Some of the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebrations occur in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and New York.

Beyond the food, dancing, and parties, Cinco de Mayo stands as an annual reminder of the rich Mexican heritage woven into the fabric of American society.

It symbolizes the perseverance and resistance of Mexico’s indigenous roots against the forces of European colonialism.

While the 1862 victory was ultimately just a single battle, it has taken on an enduring meaning as a powerful symbol of Mexican pride, strength, and resilience.

So, as you gather with friends and family this Cinco de Mayo weekend, take a moment to not just enjoy the festivities, but to reflect on the profound history and cultural significance behind the celebration.

Raise a glass to honor the memories of those who fought for Mexican independence and self-determination against overwhelming odds. After all, there is a legacy of triumph over adversity that still resonates powerfully today.