What’s Cinco de Mayo all about? A quick guide to the Mexican celebration for Americans
Americans love to celebrated Cinco de Mayo, which is celebrated every year. Although is a Mexican celebration, it is widespread more in America than Mexico.
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated every year on May 5 and is one of the most recognized Mexican holidays in the United States. Where Americans looking out for sombreros, Mexican food, and half-price margaritas.
While most of the Americans believe it's Mexican Independence Day, it is not. According to a 2020 survey from YouGov, only 40% of Americans knew Cinco de Mayo wasn't commemorating the country's independence. Have you ever wondered why it is celebrated?
What is Cinco de Mayo celebrated for?
Cinco de Mayo, which in Spanish for "Fifth of May", commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Not long after defeating the Spaniards in 1821 and losing the Mexican-American War in 1848, Mexico found in another conflict with France.
French Emperor Napoleon III wanted to claim Mexican territory for himself, sending his troops to force Mexico's President Benito Juárez and the government out of Veracruz.
On May 5, 1862, in Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico, 6,000 French troops faced 2,000 Mexican soldiers at daybreak. By the evening, Mexico had claimed victory.
Days later, Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.
Why is Cinco de Mayo more celebrated in the U.S. and not in Mexico?
Cinco de Mayo has gained much more significant observance in the United States, besides it is a Mexican celebration.
According to the History Channel, the Battle of Puebla spread across the United States and Mexican-Americans used the day as inspiration for the union struggle during the Civil War. Americans in the midst of the Civil War were inspired by the Mexican victory and began celebrating Cinco de Mayo with parades, speeches and bullfights.
“I think there's always some sort of military commemoration in Puebla and there are one or two major fortresses where the Mexican army held their defense against the French as a commemoration of this military victory,” said Alexander Aviña, associate professor of history at Arizona State University to USA Today.
The reasons for its popularity in America are variated, and many people believe it is Mexico's Independence Day, which is false. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16.
Is Cinco de Mayo a federal holiday?
Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday by the U.S. government, meaning federal and state courts and banks will open as usually scheduled on Monday, May 5.