Cinco de Mayo, which translates to May 5, is one of the most misunderstood Mexican holidays. For many Americans on Thursday, Cinco de Mayo is just another reason to have a good time with a few margaritas.
Many people mistake the holiday for Mexico's Independence Day, which actually falls in September. Cinco de Mayo remembers the Battle of Puebla when the Mexican army defeated the French militaries of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862.
Since Mexico couldn't pay back war debts to European countries, France arrived in Mexico to collect their debts. At the same time, Napoleon III wanted to use the opportunity to create an independent empire out of Mexican territory.
While the battle was not a major strategic win in the greater war against the French, the success of the Battle of Puebla represented a great success for the Mexican government. The Battle also bolstered the Mexican resistance movement.
A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, which is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is popularly celebrated in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Chicano activists raised much of Cinco de Mayo awareness in the 1960s.
Today, the holiday represents proud Mexican culture and heritage, according to USA Today. In the U.S., however, Cinco de Mayo plans typically involve alcohol and a lot of partying.
In the 1970s and 1980s, beer companies based in the U.S. began to look for ways to target the Spanish-speaking population, according to Jose Alamillo, a Chicago studies professor from California State University Channel Islands. Cinco de Mayo soon took on the party-friendly connotation it is widely known for today, according to Time.
Cinco de Mayo is marked with parties, parades, street festivals, and Mexican folk dancing across cities and town. Cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston celebrate some of the largest Cinco de Mayo festivals in the U.S. The holiday also revels in traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano.
Unfortunately, many non-Americans have no idea about the significance of Cinco de Mayo, according to Carlos Tortolero, president of the Chicago-based National Museum of Mexican Art. Tortolero explains that Cinco de Mayo is a reminder that regardless of the number of times Mexico was invaded by other countries, this was one time Mexico won the battle.
