Cinco de Mayo: What does cinco de mayo celebrate?

Cinco de Mayo means May 5 in Spanish and is celebrated on that date every year. Mexico and many North American states mark the day with a range of celebrations. From eating Mexican food to street parades, dancing and music, Cinco de Mayo celebrations take various forms.

What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?

Cinco de Mayo celebrations commemorate Mexico’s victory against the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

General Ignacio Zaragoza lead Mexican troops to victory against Napoleon III’s French forces.

Spanish, French and English troops invaded Mexico in 1861 after the country stopped repaying foreign debts. 

While English and Spanish troops had withdrawn by April 1862 the French remained. 

The French forces secured support from wealthy landowners and attempted to establish a monarchy in Mexico in order to curb US power in North America.

But the French were thwarted on May 5 when legendary Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza led ill-equipped Mexican troops into battle.

Against all the odds around 1,000 troops were killed at the Battle of Puebla in an astonishing defeat.

While the French remained in Mexico for another five years after the Battle of Puebla, the fight became a symbol of the Mexican Resistance which is why it is celebrated to this day.

The city of Puebla was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza in honour of the military general. 

How is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

The Mexican state of Puebla still holds Cinco de Mayo celebrations every year.

Street parties, parades and speeches are held across the region on May 5.

However, Cinco de Mayo isn’t widely celebrated in the rest of Mexico.

Instead, it has become a day to celebrate national heritage for Mexican immigrants living outside of their homeland.

Mexicans living in the USA celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a day to encourage pride in Mexican heritage.

However, in recent years it has been criticised in the US as a day that perpetuates negative Mexican stereotypes.

In the USA Cinco de Mayo has become linked with the promotion of Mexican alcoholic drinks and food.

Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexico’s Independence Day which is celebrated on September 16.