Mexican Victory Celebrated

what is the real reason behind cinco de mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle was fought during the Franco-Mexican War, which began in 1861 when the Mexican government stopped paying interest on loans it had received from France. France, under the rule of Napoleon III, took this as an opportunity to try to establish a French-friendly government in Mexico and sent troops to occupy the country. The French army was much larger and better equipped than the Mexican army, but at the Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, were able to defeat them. While the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla was significant, it did not ultimately stop the French from occupying Mexico. The French were able to capture Mexico City and establish a monarchy there, but they were eventually expelled by Mexican forces in 1867. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated primarily in Mexico and the United States, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. It has become a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage, as well as the idea of resistance against oppression.