Cinco de Mayo is an American Civil War holiday. It is not Mexican Independence Day.
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo was created by Mexicans and Latinos in California in the early 1860s supporting the cause for freedom and democracy in the first years of the Civil War. On May 5, 1862 in the Battle of Puebla, 4,000 Mexican troops defeated the French and traitor-Mexican army of 8,000. When the Civil War ended in 1865, the United States was able to provide assistance to Mexico which enabled them to completely expel the French.
The significance of the Battle of Puebla is twofold. First is the overwhelming victory of the Mexican army when outnumbered 2:1. Second, since the Battle of Puebla, no country in the Americas has been invaded by a European military force. After Pearl Harbor, thousands of Mexicans crossed the border to join the U.S. Armed Forces. Even as recently as the Persian Gulf War, Mexicans flooded U.S. consolates with phone calls trying to join up and fight another war for America.
Mexican patriots never forget who their friends are and neither do Americans. That’s why Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican and American celebration of freedom, liberty, and Mexican culture.
Mexican Independence Day is September 15.
