Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Everything to know about the Mexican American holiday

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
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Cinco de Mayo, also known as the Battle of Puebla Day, is Friday.

The annual celebration marks the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Although it's often confused with Independence Day in Mexico (Día de la Independencia), celebrated on Sept. 16, Cinco de Mayo is also an important day in Mexico's history and commemorates Mexican American culture in the United States.

Here's more about Cinco de Mayo, including its history and the 2023 Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival.

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Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration on the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire during the Franco-Mexican War.
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration on the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire during the Franco-Mexican War.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration on the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the French Empire during the Franco-Mexican War.

On May 5, 1862, 2,000 Mexican soldiers defeated 6,000 French soldiers during a battle in Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in East-Central Mexico. Days later, Mexican President Benito Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.

According to USA Today, the holiday commemorates the start of France leaving Mexico during a time when Mexico was "economically vulnerable."

The battle also had an impact on the American Civil War. After France was defeated, the Confederacy could not use the European country as an ally to win the war, per USA Today.

Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

While it's not a significant holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture in the United States.

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War, which occurred in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. By the 1980s, companies began commercializing the holiday.

Cinco de Mayo gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Cinco de Mayo gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Today there are Cinco de Mayo festivities throughout the United States and Mexico, especially in Puebla.

When is Cinco de Mayo celebrated?

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated every year on May 5.

How is Cinco de Mayo celebrated in the United States?

Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods, such as tacos, enchiladas, tamales and mole poblano.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods, such as tacos, enchiladas, tamales and mole poblano.

According to the History Channel, Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods, such as tacos, enchiladas, tamales and mole poblano. Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois, and Houston, Texas, are among the cities with the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States.

Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival

The 19th annual Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival takes place this weekend at Fountain Square.

  • What: Celebrate Latin culture with food, live music, shopping, dancing and more, while benefitting local Hispanic charities.

  • When: From noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

  • Tickets: Free to attend. Learn more at cincy-cinco.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cinco de Mayo: Why do we celebrate it? When is it? Everything to know