¡Cinco de Mayo—Meaning, Food, and Facts!

When is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo occurs annually on May 5 in the United States. In 2024, it will be celebrated on a Sunday. It is not a public holiday, and businesses have normal hours. 

What is Cinco de Mayo?

First, note that May 5 is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day, which is on September 16, 1810 (and freed Mexicans from Spanish rule). 

Rather, Cinco de Mayo is about a military victory over the French on May 5, 1862, which was over half a century later! The first Cinco de Mayo holiday is believed to have been celebrated in California in 1863, following the Battle of Puebla. 

Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by the Mexican state of Puebla, as well as Mexican-American immigrants in parts of the United States. Similar to St. Patrick’s Day for Irish Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a day of pride to honor Mexican heritage and culture.

A Short History of Cinco de Mayo

In the 1860s, the French wanted to establish a French state in Mexico. Mexican President Benito Juárez immediately resisted Napoleon III’s French forces, blocking the advances in the fortified city of Puebla, where French commanders had ordered an assault.

Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, the Mexican forces defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla). Despite being ill-equipped and outnumbered, the Mexican troops held off the French advances, thanks to the positioning of hilltop forts Loreto and Guadalupe and a deep trench. The battle, where hundreds of French troops and less than 100 Mexicans were killed, lasted less than a day.

This battle was part of a French offensive to expand France’s empire in the New World. After a brutal civil war, Mexican leader Benito Juárez suspended foreign debt payments. In response, Spain, France, and England sent forces to Mexico, but only France undertook significant military action. 

While the war with France was far from over, following Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, it was seen as a symbol of the Mexican resistance against foreign domination. The city was later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza, a museum devoted to the battle’s historical significance, and the battlefield is maintained as a park.

Cinco de Mayo Meaning Today

In the United States today, Cinco de Mayo is seen as a day to celebrate the culture and heritage of people with a Mexican background. There is an emphasis on Mexican services and goods, especially food, drinks, music, and dancing! 

Fun Fact: It is estimated that more than 80 million pounds of avocados are consumed annually during Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

Large Cinco de Mayo celebrations are primarily held in southwestern cities with large populations of Americans of Mexican origins, including Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles. A number of cities, including Denver and Washington D.C., host chihuahua races!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Below, you will find a number of recipes that can be enjoyed during Cinco de Mayo. In addition, Mole Poblano, which originated in Puebla, is a culinary dish that is associated with Cinco de Mayo that combines chiles, fruits, nuts, and Mexican chocolate to create a sauce that is typically served over pork, chicken, or turkey.

Do you have a favorite Mexican-American recipe? Here are a few of our favorites:

If you enjoy learning about the cultures of the world, discover another Mexican holiday that coincides with All Souls’ Day. Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated on November 2.