Cinco de Mayo (or the fifth of May, which is the day the U.S. celebrates it), is a day that commemorates Mexico’s victory against the French during the battle of Puebla in 1862.

In 1861 Mexico was facing a severe economic crisis and decided to temporarily stop payment to other countries they owed money to in order to deal with the internal financial situation. Mexico owed money to Spain, England, and France. This led to France invading Mexico in an attempt to secure the repayment of money Mexico had borrowed.

Mexico’s true independence day is on September 16, not the fifth of May. According to www.chicagonow.com,  “In Mexico, the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (The Day of the Battle of Puebla) and Puebla hosts a battle reenactment each year. The holiday is celebrated in the state of Puebla, but not widely commemorated elsewhere in Mexico.”

In some places in the U.S. and in Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with lots of parades, dancing and festivals. Traditional food is served and Mariachi bands fill buildings and town squares. Children in the U.S. do small units on the holiday in their classrooms, decorate their classrooms and try cooking some basic Mexican foods in honor of the day.

In other parts of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a low key affair. Students get a day off from school to commemorate the day. The largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the U.S. is in Los Angeles, CA.