Here's the truth about Cinco de Mayo. It's not Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862 where Mexican forces collided with the French army. The fight was over an old debt that Mexico owed to England, Spain and France. The government had reached a deal with the first two, but France was like, "No"
And they sent soldiers to collect the debt and that did not work out for them as the Mexican forces dramatically outnumbered, though they were, routed the French. So 162 years later, this is a day of remembrance and celebration, especially in the Puebla region, but it's not a Mexican holiday. Cinco is a much bigger day in the U.S. where it's become kind of a catch-all celebration of all things Mexican culture.
Many Americans will celebrate Cinco de Mayo, hopefully, hopefully with some quality tequila.
