Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is the day Mexico won a key battle in their war for independence.

About Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May in English, is the day on which Mexico won a key battle in the war for their independence. On that date the Mexican army defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The victory was significant and a source of pride to Mexicans because only 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a better-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not lost a battle in nearly 50 years. Cinco de Mayo is an important holiday on which to celebrate one's Mexican heritage.

Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday in Mexico, but it is observed informally. It is also observed in the United States and in many other countries around the world by Mexicans away from their homeland, or by those of Mexican descent. Celebrations in many cities around the U.S. include festivals, traditional dancing, traditional foods, and mariachi bands.

Mexico is the third largest trading partner to the U.S. According to the U.S. Census, in 2008 there were 695,000 Mexican-Americans who are U.S. military veterans.

The official date of Mexican independence is September 16th.

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