Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo” means “fifth of May” in Spanish. On May 5th each year, Mexicans as well as many people in the United States, celebrate a holiday to remember an important battle for independence in Mexico. The battle, known as the Battle of Puebla, took place on May 5, 1862. At the time, French troops occupied Mexico. They had been sent there by Napoleon five months earlier, supposedly to collect money that Mexico owed to France. However, it seemed that the real reason France had invaded Mexico was to take over the territory.

Many people mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. However, that is not the case. Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 to commemorate Mexican Independence from Spain. Mexico became independent decades before the Battle of Puebla. By Cinco de Mayo, 1862, Mexico was already an independent country, now facing occupation by another enemy.

This modern holiday began when a group of California State University students decided to hold the first Cinco de Mayo commemoration in the United States. This was around 1967. The students felt that there was no Chicano holidays and needed to do something about it. They wanted something to recapture their history and identity and decided that the Battle of Puebla was symbolic and they could connect it to their struggle for the formation of a Chicano Studies program at the university.

This 5th of May, join in the celebration with a fiesta of your own or join in on one in your local community!