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Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday which is celebrated throughout the Mexican state of Puebla and in the city of Puebla, the capital of that state. It’s also recognized in other parts of Mexico and in U.S. cities that have a significant Mexican population.
The battle at Puebla took place in 1862, a violent and chaotic time in Mexico's history. The country had finally gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a hard, bloody struggle. But its economy had
been virtually wiped out by a series of wars and internal political takeovers, including the Mexican-American War (1846-8) and the Mexican Civil War of 1858. During that time, Mexico had run up heavy debts to several nations. Although its monetary obligation to the U.S. was settled after the Mexican-American War, countries such as Spain, England and France were demanding to be paid. France in particular was eager to expand its empire, and it used the debt issue to begin establishing its own government in Mexico. Spain and England recognized France's expansionist aims and withdrew their support. When Mexico finally suspended making loan payments, France took action and installed the Archduke Maximilian of Austria (a relative of the Emperor Napoleon III of France) as ruler of Mexico.
On the fifth of May in 1862, the French army began advancing. Under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, close to 5,000 ill-equipped mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla." Although the Mexican army was later defeated, the Battle of Puebla became a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations have become increasingly popular along the border between the U.S. and Mexico and in areas of the U.S. that boast a substantial population of people who claim Mexican heritage. In those areas, the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture and of food, music, beverages and customs unique to Mexico.
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