The meaning of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, is not considered a popular holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has become a very important way to commemorate the Mexican culture and heritage – especially in Mexican-American populations, including Texas.

Today, many people in the United States associate Cinco de Mayo with margaritas, tacos, and partying – not realizing the story behind the celebration. In 1862, the French forces of Napoleon III attempted an invasion in Mexico hoping to establish a monarchy in Mexico in order to gain influence in North America.

Over 6,000 French troops were sent for the invasion in hopes to outnumber the small army of Mexicans led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. In a surprising event, the Mexican troops defeated the French troops who were forced to retreat. Known as the Battle of Puebla, this victory boosted the morale among Mexico residents and eventually became a symbol of the country’s cultural pride, courage, and resilience.

Some interesting facts about Cinco de Mayo include:

• In 2017, the Corona beer company lit up New York City’s famous Times Square Ball to resemble a lime wedge and hosted a “Lime Drop” to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
• In 2005, Congress declared Cinco de Mayo an official U.S. holiday.
• Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in a few other places around the world, including Brisbane, Australia, Malta, and the Cayman Islands.
• In the past, Americans have consumed more than 80 million pounds of avocados on Cinco de Mayo.
• Los Angeles’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is bigger than the one in Puebla, Mexico, where the holiday originated.
• Forget the tacos, one of the most popular traditional dishes in Mexico for Cinco de Mayo is mole poblano, a rich sauce made from chocolate and chilis.
• The colors traditionally associated with Cinco de Mayo are red, white, and green, reflecting the colors of the Mexican flag.
• The Battle of Puebla is re-enacted every year in Mexico City.
• Many 2020 Cinco de Mayo celebrations were canceled or transformed into virtual gatherings due to the pandemic.
• The city of Longmont in Colorado celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Chihuahua beauty contest, in which they crown a King and Queen Chihuahua.
• In 2013, Americans spent more than $600 million on beer for Cinco de Mayo.