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Cinco de Mayo: Not What You May Think!

Writer's picture: Michelle Sabala HagerottMichelle Sabala Hagerott

Cinco de Mayo is a widely misunderstood holiday that is celebrated on the fifth of May each year, mainly in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. Instead, it commemorates a significant military victory that took place on May 5, 1862, in the city of Puebla, Mexico.


On this date, the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, was vastly outnumbered

and outgunned by the French forces, who were considered one of the most powerful armies in the world at the time. Despite this, the Mexicans managed to defeat the French in a battle that lasted all day, inflicting a heavy toll on the French army.


This victory gave the Mexican people a much-needed boost in morale during a time of great uncertainty and turmoil. At that time, Mexico was still recovering from a series of wars and political instability, and the victory over the French showed that

Mexico was capable of defending itself against foreign aggression. Although the victory at Puebla did not end the French invasion of Mexico, it did delay their advance, allowing the Mexican army to regroup and eventually force the French out of the country. The victory also helped to forge a sense of national unity among the Mexican people, who had previously been divided along regional and cultural lines.


In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular holiday that is celebrated with parades, parties, and cultural events. It is not Mexican Independence Day, but it is still an important holiday that has come to represent Mexican culture and heritage. I can't think of a better reason to enjoy a cold margarita and munch on chips and salsa!


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