Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the 5th of May, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday is observed mainly in the state of Puebla and in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. It is often confused with Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16th.

In 1861 Benito Juarez, then President of Mexico stopped paying interest payments to countries that Mexico owed money to. France, in order to force payment of the debt invaded Mexico. The French, having superior arms, were largely successful until May 5th, 1862 the outnumbered Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla.

While this victory merely delayed the French occupation of Mexico the Battle was important not only because of the remarkable odds Zaragoza's men overcame against an army that had not been defeated in almost 50 years but also because no county in the America's has ever been invaded by an army from another continent since.