Cinco de Mayo is today!

According to History.com, many people have the misconception that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day. Mexico’s Independence Day is actually on September 16, fifty-two years earlier than the original year of Cinco de Mayo.  

Cinco de Mayo celebrates and remembers the day Mexican troops defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

One year earlier, the Mexican president, Benito Juarez, declared that the country was unable to pay foreign countries, including England, France, and Spain, for the existing national loans. According to Mexonline.com, Mexico had recently fought the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Civil War, which resulted in economic ruins.

This economic situation infuriated France and caused them to attack Mexico. The Mexican troops were able to defeat the French troops, even though they were half the size of the latter.

Even though the French were defeated in Puebla, they managed to reach Mexico City. Ultimately, Mexico, with aid from the United States, was able to remove the French from the city. Benito Juarez was returned his chair at the capital city. The U.S. used Mexico’s influential victory as fuel for the Civil War cause, which was going on between 1861 and 1865.

Cinco the Mayo remains a festive and patriotic day both in Mexico (specifically Puebla) and the U.S. People plan massive festivals, dances, potlucks, and musical performances. Senior Jose G. plans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year: “If I’m with the right people, then I sing the [Mexican] anthem. Then I feast.”

Whether you will celebrate Cinco de Mayo or not, have fun this Thursday!