Cinco de Mayo

Contrary to what some people mistakenly believe, this holiday is not the same as Mexican Independence Day (which is on September 16). Instead, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the battle that took place when 6,000 French troops attacked Puebla de Los Angeles, a town in Mexico, and retreated when the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, fought back and won despite the fact that they were tremendously outnumbered. At the time, Mexico was struggling economically and France, which was ruled by Napoleon II, sought to take control over Mexican territory. Even though the victory at the Battle of Puebla was considered small, it symbolized the strength of Indigenous Mexicans and their resistance movement against European colonizers.

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