The holiday of Cinco de Mayo (Translation: May Fifth) commemorates the defeat of the French army by Mexican militia at The Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what led up to the conflict:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juarez was forced to default on his debts owed to European governments. This resulted in France, Spain, and Britain taking action by sending naval forces to Veracruz to demand payment. Spain and Britain worked out an agreement with Mexico, but Emperor Napoleon III of France had another reason behind the military action \u2013 he wanted the silver that could be mined in Mexico to finance his empire. Wow, Napoleon was a hot head\u2013 if he owned a car, do you think he\u2019d have car insurance<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an excuse to collect on outstanding war debts, France had sent a huge force of 6,500 soldiers to invade Mexico. The French landed on Mexico\u2019s gulf coast and headed toward Mexico City. On May 5, 1862, they were met in Puebla and defeated by a much smaller force of 4,500 Mexican soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cinco De Mayo is mainly a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla \u2013 with a battle re-enactment, a major parade and fireworks \u2013 and throughout the state of Puebla. Celebrations are more common in the United States than in Mexico, and many American cities hold carnivals, street fairs and multi-day festivals during the first week of May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to widespread belief, Mexican Independence Day is actually September 16, 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo put out a call to arms to overthrow Spanish rule in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it\u2019s not a national holiday in Mexico, it is an official holiday in the State of Puebla. Throughout Mexico, all public schools are closed on May 5. It is also a full holiday in the state of Veracruz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n U.S. Cities with the Biggest Cinco de Mayo Festivals:
\u2022 Los Angeles, California
\u2022 Denver, Colorado
\u2022 Portland, Oregon
\u2022 Phoenix, Arizona
\u2022 San Diego, California
\u2022 St. Paul, Minnesota
\u2022 San Marcos, Texas
\u2022 Kansas City, Missouri
\u2022 Reno, Nevada
\u2022 Sparks, Nevada<\/p>\n\n\n\n