History of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that commemorates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Friday, May 5, 2023, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, especially in areas with large Mexican American populations.

Historians believe the first Cinco de Mayo celebrations were political rallies held by Mexican Americans to generate support for Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War. But it wasn’t until President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the Good Neighbor Policy in 1933 that Cinco de Mayo began evolving into the colorful cultural celebration it is today.

Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Independence Day in Mexico is commemorated on September 16th, the anniversary of the revolutionary priest Miguel Hidalgo and “Grito de Dolores,” “Cry of Dolores,” referring to the city of Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, a call to arms that amounted to a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the state of Puebla with parades, speeches, and reenactments of the 1862 battle, though it is not much noticed in most of the rest of the country. In the mid-20th-century United States, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo became among Mexican immigrants a way of encouraging pride in their Mexican heritage.

Celebrations are more visible in the United States. According to History.com, some communities in the United States, especially those with roots in the Puebla region, have attempted to reclaim the celebration as their own in recent years. These efforts are mostly visible in larger cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, where events are dedicated to the celebrations of dance, literature and food from Puebla.

Though there is no specific Mexican dish associated with the festivity, many use the holiday as an occasion to gather and honor Mexico’s and Puebla’s own culinary traditions. Mole poblano, a thick and savory chile and chocolate sauce from the state of Puebla and the chocolate-rich version of mole that originated in Puebla might be a good pick for a Cinco de Mayo-inspired feast.

While Cinco de Mayo may not be a holiday everyone typically celebrates, the day of commemoration presents the opportunity for everyone to become immersed in the rich, colorful culture of Puebla and the festivities surrounding the fifth of May.