Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans, commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Its name is Spanish for Fifth of May. These performers in Mexico City celebrate the holiday with a re-enactment of the battle. Credit: © Jorge Uzon, AFP/Getty Images

Today, May 5, is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and in many communities throughout the United States. Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for Fifth of May. Many people know that Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But few people know much about the battle itself, which took place near Puebla, a city in central Mexico, during a French invasion of Mexico. Mexican forces won the Battle of Puebla, but their victory did not stop the French from taking control of Mexico. A French-supported government led by Emperor Maximilian ruled Mexico from 1864 until 1867, when Maximilian was killed and the Mexican republic was restored.

A statue of former Mexican President Benito Juárez stands in Pachuca, the capital of the state of Hidalgo, in central Mexico. The hills of Pachuca contain deposits of valuable metals such as gold and silver. Credit: © AA World Travel Library/Alamy Images

In April 1862, a force of some 6,000 French troops marched inland from the port city of Veracruz, intending to take Mexico City, the nation’s capital. Puebla lay along the route to the capital, and Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza assembled about 4,800 troops nearby to stop the French advance. On April 28, the French won an initial battle at Acultzingo Pass leading to Puebla. Zaragoza then withdrew to Puebla, which was protected by fortifications on two large hills—Guadalupe and Loreto—and other defenses.

On May 5, 1862, French artillery began bombarding Puebla’s defenses, and an infantry assault soon followed. The French attack failed under the concentrated fire from Puebla’s defenders. A second attack also failed, but the French refused to quit and launched a third attack. It too failed. Suffering heavy casualties (people killed and wounded), the French called off the assault. Mexican cavalry then attacked the French as they attempted to withdraw, inflicting still more casualties. With the battle lost, the French eventually retreated to Orizaba, a city midway between Puebla and Veracruz.

The French suffered nearly 500 casualties at Puebla, including more than 100 killed in action. Mexican losses were about 85 dead and more than 100 wounded. Despite the defeat, the French recovered quickly. After receiving about 30,000 reinforcements the following autumn, the French renewed their march toward Mexico City. The French won the second Battle of Puebla in May 1863 and then pushed on to take Mexico City. Mexican President Benito Juárez was forced into hiding, and the French installed Archduke Maximilian of Austria as emperor of Mexico in 1864.

Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph served as emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867. His reign helped lead to the modernization of Mexico. Credit: © Andrew Burgess, Library of Congress

After the bloody American Civil War ended in the spring of 1865, the United States threatened to intervene to remove the French from Mexico. The French then began withdrawing their forces in 1866. At the same time, a resistance movement led by Juárez increased attacks on the French and Mexican troops loyal to Maximilian.

In February 1867, Maximilian and his army withdrew north of Mexico City to the city of Querétaro, where Mexican rebels soon besieged them. In May, Maximilian was betrayed by one of his officers and captured by rebel troops. The emperor—who had ordered all Juárez supporters caught bearing arms to be shot—was himself executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867. The Mexican republic was then restored, and Juárez again became president.

Cinco de Mayo celebration in Austin, Texas
© Stephanie Friedman, Alamy Images

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday to commemorate the victory of Mexico over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Many Mexicans and Mexican Americans celebrate the day. Its name is Spanish for Fifth of May.

The battle occurred after Emperor Napoleon III of France sent troops to Mexico to conquer the country. The Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, won the battle, even though the French force was larger and better armed.  Despite the Mexican victory at Puebla, the French later gained control of Mexico City and established a French-supported government there. In 1866 and 1867, however, France withdrew its troops from Mexico because of resistance by many Mexicans and pressure from the United States. The French-backed government soon fell.

Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans, commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Its name is Spanish for Fifth of May. These performers in Mexico City celebrate the holiday with a re-enactment of the battle. Credit: © Jorge Uzon, AFP/Getty Images

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated differently, depending on where you are. Some Mexican towns hold small celebrations, including parades or town meetings and speeches. In the United States, celebrations often include parades, folk dancing, speeches, carnival rides, and Mexican music.

Like so many holidays this year, Cinco de Mayo might look different than in years past. In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. Such efforts often include social distancing, meant to limit contact among people and thus the spread of germs. But, limiting the spread of germs doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

One socially distant way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is to make a popular Mexican food: tacos. A taco consists of a folded tortilla filled with such ingredients as meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Common fillings include beef, pork, and spicy peppers. Authentic Mexican tacos are topped with cilantro and white onions. The simple, informal nature of the taco helps to inspire creativity among chefs. So, we encourage you to make your taco unique! However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and happy Cinco de Mayo!

May 5, 2017

Today, May 5, is Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and in many communities throughout the United States. Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for Fifth of May. Many people know that Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But few people know much about the battle itself, which took place near Puebla, a city in central Mexico, during a French invasion of Mexico. Mexican forces won the Battle of Puebla, but their victory did not stop the French from taking control of Mexico. A French-supported government led by Emperor Maximilian ruled Mexico from 1864 until 1867, when Maximilian was killed and the Mexican republic was restored.

People participate in a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. The battle took place on May 5, 1862, and is remembered by the holiday of Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for Fifth of May). Credit: © Jorge Uzon, AFP/Getty Images

In April 1862, a force of some 6,000 French troops marched inland from the port city of Veracruz, intending to take Mexico City, the nation’s capital. Puebla lay along the route to the capital, and Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza assembled about 4,800 troops nearby to stop the French advance. On April 28, the French won an initial battle at Acultzingo Pass leading to Puebla. Zaragoza then withdrew to Puebla, which was protected by fortifications on two large hills—Guadalupe and Loreto—and other defenses.

Mexican President Benito Juárez (seen here in a statue in central Mexico) was forced from power in 1864, but he returned to lead Mexico in 1867. Credit: © AA World Travel Library/Alamy Images

On May 5, 1862, French artillery began bombarding Puebla’s defenses, and an infantry assault soon followed. The French attack failed under the concentrated fire from Puebla’s defenders. A second attack also failed, but the French refused to quit and launched a third attack. It too failed. Suffering heavy casualties (people killed and wounded), the French called off the assault. Mexican cavalry then attacked the French as they attempted to withdraw, inflicting still more casualties. With the battle lost, the French eventually retreated to Orizaba, a city midway between Puebla and Veracruz.

The French suffered nearly 500 casualties at Puebla, including more than 100 killed in action. Mexican losses were about 85 dead and more than 100 wounded. Despite the defeat, the French recovered quickly. After receiving about 30,000 reinforcements the following autumn, the French renewed their march toward Mexico City. The French won the second Battle of Puebla in May 1863 and then pushed on to take Mexico City. Mexican President Benito Juárez was forced into hiding, and the French installed Archduke Maximilian of Austria as emperor of Mexico in 1864.

The French installed Archduke Maximilian as emperor of Mexico in 1864. Rebel Mexican forces captured and executed Maximilian in 1867. Credit: Andrew Burgess, Library of Congress

After the bloody American Civil War ended in the spring of 1865, the United States threatened to intervene to remove the French from Mexico. The French then began withdrawing their forces in 1866. At the same time, a resistance movement led by Juárez increased attacks on the French and Mexican troops loyal to Maximilian.

In February 1867, Maximilian and his army withdrew north of Mexico City to the city of Querétaro, where Mexican rebels soon besieged them. In May, Maximilian was betrayed by one of his officers and captured by rebel troops. The emperor—who had ordered all Juárez supporters caught bearing arms to be shot—was himself executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867. The Mexican republic was then restored, and Juárez again became president.

May 5, 2015

Across much of North America, Mexicans and Mexican Americans will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo today. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for Fifth of May) celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Performers in Mexico City celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla. (© Jorge Uzon, AFP/Getty Images)

After the Mexican War (1846-1848) with the United States, and a civil war that ran from 1858 to 1861, the treasury of the Mexican government was nearly bankrupt. The president of Mexico, Benito Juárez, issued a two-year moratorium on the payment of European loans in 1861. In 1862, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom all sent ships to Mexico. Spain and Britain negotiated a settlement with the government of Mexico. France, however, was unwilling to accept Mexico’s promise to pay its debt in future. The French representative ordered troops into Mexico.

To reach Mexico City, the French army had to cross the state of Puebla. The Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza faced off against French general Charles de Lorencez in the town of Puebla. The French believed that the battle would be easy. The French army had 6,000 well-trained troops. The Mexicans had 4,000 troops, some of whom were untrained farmers armed with implements. Overconfidence proved the undoing of the French. After several unsuccessful assaults, they were forced to retreat, with the Mexican cavalry in pursuit. It was a definitive victory for the Mexican army.

The victory was short lived. It caused the French emperor Napoleon III to send 30,000 additional French troops. They arrived in Mexico in 1863 and quickly defeated the Mexican army.  Juárez formed a government in exile in the north of Mexico. Napoleon then appointed the Austrian Archduke, Maximilian, to be emperor of Mexico in 1864.

With the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States was able to give military assistance to Mexico, in keeping with the Monroe Doctrine, a policy that supported the independent nations of the Western Hemisphere against European interference. Napoleon III withdrew his forces from Mexico in 1866, leaving Maximilian without support. The Mexican emperor was executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867. Juárez returned to Mexico City and was president of the Mexican Republic until his death in 1872.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated everywhere in Mexico, but it is especially popular in the state of Puebla. It is even more popular in the United States, especially in regions with a large Mexican-American population. It has become a day to celebrate Mexican heritage.

Additional World Book articles:

• Hispanic Americans
• Research guide (Hispanic Americans)

May 5, 2015

Across much of North America, Mexicans and Mexican Americans will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo today. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for Fifth of May) celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Performers in Mexico City celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a reenactment of the Battle of Puebla. (© Jorge Uzon, AFP/Getty Images)

After the Mexican War (1846-1848) with the United States, and a civil war that ran from 1858 to 1861, the treasury of the Mexican government was nearly bankrupt. The president of Mexico, Benito Juárez, issued a two-year moratorium on the payment of European loans in 1861. In 1862, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom all sent ships to Mexico. Spain and Britain negotiated a settlement with the government of Mexico. France, however, was unwilling to accept Mexico’s promise to pay its debt in future. The French representative ordered troops into Mexico.

To reach Mexico City, the French army had to cross the state of Puebla. The Mexican general Ignacio Zaragoza faced off against French general Charles de Lorencez in the town of Puebla. The French believed that the battle would be easy. The French army had 6,000 well-trained troops. The Mexicans had 4,000 troops, some of whom were untrained farmers armed with implements. Overconfidence proved the undoing of the French. After several unsuccessful assaults, they were forced to retreat, with the Mexican cavalry in pursuit. It was a definitive victory for the Mexican army.

The victory was short lived. It caused the French emperor Napoleon III to send 30,000 additional French troops. They arrived in Mexico in 1863 and quickly defeated the Mexican army.  Juárez formed a government in exile in the north of Mexico. Napoleon then appointed the Austrian Archduke, Maximilian, to be emperor of Mexico in 1864.

With the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States was able to give military assistance to Mexico, in keeping with the Monroe Doctrine, a policy that supported the independent nations of the Western Hemisphere against European interference. Napoleon III withdrew his forces from Mexico in 1866, leaving Maximilian without support. The Mexican emperor was executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867. Juárez returned to Mexico City and was president of the Mexican Republic until his death in 1872.

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated everywhere in Mexico, but it is especially popular in the state of Puebla. It is even more popular in the United States, especially in regions with a large Mexican-American population. It has become a day to celebrate Mexican heritage.

Additional World Book articles:

• Hispanic Americans
• Research guide (Hispanic Americans)