It all started in the Mexican state of Puebla (right above Oaxaca). Napoleon III had his eye on Mexico and sent 6,000 French troops to the small town of Puebla de los Ángeles to stir up trouble. In response, newly elected (but recently exiled) Zapotec President Benito Juárez gathered 2,000 men to resist.
The assault began at daybreak on May 5th, 1862. By nightfall, the French had lost nearly 500 soldiers, while the Mexican forces lost fewer than 100 men. The Battle of Puebla didn’t decide the course of the war, but Mexico’s surprising victory over the world’s mightiest military power at that time became a symbol of resistance. France eventually withdrew in 1867, not long after the end of America’s Civil War.
So, in the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with fireworks, traditional mole poblano, and dancing. It has nothing to do with Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16th), and isn’t even observed in many other parts of Mexico.
Now you know!
