What is celebrated on Cinco de Mayo and why is it more popular in the US than in Mexico?

• What is the true story of Cinco de Mayo?
• Find out why it is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.
• What is the real Independence Day?

In Mexico, May 5 is a commemorative day for remembering La Batalla de Puebla (Battle of Puebla Day). In Mexico it is celebrated in a more conservative way, while in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a festive celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, mostly in regions that have a large Mexican-American population.

According to Independent en Español, May 5 is not Mexico’s Independence Day, although this is a common misconception. In truth, Cinco de Mayo is not a major holiday in Mexico.

What was the Batalla de Puebla?

The Battle of Puebla was a lone conflict that took place in 1861. Benito Juárez, who was a renowned lawyer and member of the Zapotec indigenous tribe, was elected president of Mexico. According to Independent en Español, the country was in serious financial trouble at the time.

Why? Well, at that time the country was in financial ruin after three years of facing internal struggles, since the new president was forced to stop paying the debt to European governments. The official website of the Government of Mexico cites a very important text…. Filed as: May 5 in the US

Cinco de Mayo in the US

In the official document you can read how the situation was described decades ago. «At 9 in the morning of May 5, 1862, with the firing of a Mexican cannon, one of the most glorious days recorded in our homeland history began.»

“The French command concentrated its efforts on the Fort of Guadalupe, launching a first attack at this point. Despite the superiority in weapons of the Lorencez forces, they were stopped by the national troops. The French attack on the Fort of Guadalupe was repeated twice more, however the Mexican soldiers managed to repulse them both times and thereby provoke the French retreat,” reports the Independent. Filed Under: May 5 in the US

Why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated in the United States?

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States for a reason. It is a celebration of culture and Mexican heritage, especially in areas with a large Mexican American population. Chicano activists publicized the holiday and commemorative events in the 1960s.

Currently, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated widely in Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas. Confusing it with Mexican Independence Day is a big error for the Spanish-speaking population, because to be clear, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. That is the anniversary of the famous ‘Grito de Dolores’ by the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Filed Under: May 5 in the US

The post What is celebrated on May 5 and why is it celebrated more in the US than in Mexico? appeared first on Mundo Hispánico.