Mexico

5 Facts About Cinco de Mayo's History and Meaning

On Cinco de Mayo 2021, take some time to learn about the history and meaning of this day of remembrance—and how and where it’s celebrated now

In this May 5, 2016, file photo, artists take part in the reenactment of the Battle of Puebla - Mexico’s victory over France in 1862- during its anniversary celebration at Penon de los Banos neighborhood in Mexico City.
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Wednesday marks the 159th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo. While it's a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the U.S., the annual fiesta is an excuse to indulge in margaritas, cervezas (beer), guacamole and tacos.

But what exactly does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? Brush up on its rich history with these five facts.

It’s Not Mexican Independence Day

Many people tend to confuse Cinco de Mayo with “Día de la Independencia,” or Mexico’s independence day. That holiday, also known as “El Grito de la Independencia,” is actually observed on Sept. 16, when Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain.

Remembering the Battle of Puebla

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration but a day of remembrance, commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French during the 1862 Battle of Puebla. An outnumbered Mexican army — led by Ignacio Zaragoza, a 33-year-old Texan from Goliad — defeated the invading French forces at the small town of Puebla de Los Angeles during the Franco-Mexico War. The retreat of the French troops represented a great victory for the people of Mexico, symbolizing the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty against a powerful foreign nation.

Civil War Connections

The first American Cinco de Mayo celebrations date back to the 1860s, when Mexicans living in California commemorated the victory over France in Puebla. At that time, the United States was embroiled in a Civil War. News of the underdog Mexican army beating back Napoleon III’s forces gave new strength to California’s Latinos, who sought to stop the advances of the Confederate army.

"For Mexicans in the U.S., the Civil War and the French invasion of Mexico were like one war with two fronts. They were concerned about France, which sided with the Confederacy, being on America's doorstep,” David Hayes-Bautista, professor of medicine and director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the University of California Los Angeles told NBC News.

The tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo has continued in Los Angeles without interruption since 1862, according to Hayes-Bautiste, although the original reason and the history have gotten lost.

American Beer Companies Cash In

About a century later, Chicano activists rediscovered the holiday and embraced it as a symbol of ethnic pride. But the party-filled Cinco de Mayo that Americans celebrate today didn’t become popular until U.S. beer companies began targeting the Spanish-speaking population in the 1970s and 1980s, Jose Alamillo, a California professor of Chicano studies, told Time.com. Today, Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. is primarily a celebration of Mexican-American culture, with the largest event in Los Angeles.

Authentic Cinco de Mayo Recipes

If you want to do Cinco de Mayo right, put down the taco, por favor. Contrary to popular belief, you won’t find ground beef tacos, nachos and frozen margaritas in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo. The traditional dish eaten in the town of Puebla on their big holiday is mole poblano, according to the Smithsonian. 

Invented in the late 17th century, mole is a thick sauce made with chocolate, chiles, nuts and other spices. Traditionally, the sauce covers succulent chicken or turkey.

While mole recipes differ from family to family and by state in Mexico, they all have one thing in common: mole represents the heart of Mexican culture because it’s served on the most special of occasions: weddings, baby showers and holidays like Cinco de Mayo. To make this classic Mexican sauce, try this TODAY recipe from Lourdes Juarez.

In honor of National Margarita Day, Tommy McFly learns the recipe to make the best margarita.
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