Does mexico celebrate cinco. A common misconception is that this is mexican independence day but that major holiday takes place in the month of september. In the united states though cinco de mayo has become a significant annual celebration of mexican culture and heritage. The victory of the smaller mexican force against a larger french force was a boost to morale for the mexicans.
Cinco de mayo commemorates mexicos 1862 victory over french forces at the battle of puebla during the franco mexican war. The date is observed to commemorate the mexican armys victory over the french empire at the battle of puebla on may 5 1862 under the leadership of general ignacio zaragoza. This is just one of the surprising facts about cinco de mayo.
Zaragoza died months after the battle due to illness. A year after the battle a larger french force defeated the mexican army at the second battle of puebla. Reenactments of the battle of puebla also take place in other parts of mexico including penon de los banos in mexico city where the day is celebrated by people originally from puebla.
Camille austin director of advocacy for abasolo whisky. In areas of the country with large mexican american populations such as portland denver and chicago large festivals are held. In mexico while cinco de mayo is celebrated regionally in the state of puebla with parades speeches and re enactments of the 1862 battle.
Cinco de mayo is an annual celebration held on may 5. In mexico the independence day celebrations of september 16 represent that nations most important national holiday. Cinco de mayo is actually more well known in the united states where it was promoted in the early 1980s by a popular imported mexican beer as a reason to celebrate and therefore sell more beer.
Cinco de mayo is more widely celebrated in parts of the united states than in mexico. Celebrate cinco de mayo cinco de mayo is mainly observed in the mexican state of puebla where parades with people dressed in costumes are held to celebrate the day. Cinco de mayo is a very minor holiday in mexico.