Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Mexico and in the United States, primarily in areas with large Mexican-American populations. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican's army's victory at the Battle of Puebla. In America, Cinco de Mayo is a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico marks the date when the Mexican army was victorious in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The Mexicans were vastly outnumbered, but the still managed to pull together a victory. It wasn't a major strategic win for Mexico, but it was a major symbolic victory which boosted the spirits of Mexicans.

The Battle of Puebla took place at Puebla de Los Angeles. The French sent 6,000 trained soldiers expecting an easy victory. The Mexicans were able to round up a ragtag army of 2,000 men and then they fortified the town and prepared for the French attack. The attack lasted from daybreak to early evening and by the end of the fighting, Mexico had lost less than 100 men, while the French had lost 500 men.

General Ignasio Zaragosa

General Ignacio Zaragoza was the Mexican general leading the Mexican resistance at the Battle of Puebla. Puebla de Los Angeles was eventually renamed for General Ignacio Zaragoza.

General Charles Latrille de Lorencez

General Charles Latrille de Lorencez was the French general attacking the town of Puebla de Los Angeles. He arrived with 6,000 men expecting an easy victory, but was unpleasantly surprised.

Benito Juarez

Benito Juarez was the president of Mexico at the time of Cinco de Mayo. When he heard about the impending French attack, he rounded up a ragtag army of 2,000 men and sent them to Puebla de Los Angeles.

Napoleon III

Napoleon III was the ruler of France. Mexico owed France money, so Napoleon III decided to use that as reason to carve out a territory for itself in Mexico. So, he sent 6,000 men to Puebla de Los Angeles.