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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 12298
Discover the real story behind Cinco de Mayo! Learn about the Battle of Puebla, test your knowledge with fun activities, and explore exciting projects to celebrate Mexican culture and history.
Every holiday has a story, and some are more surprising than you might think!
Now, imagine a battle where a small army faces a huge, powerful enemy—and wins! That’s the true story behind Cinco de Mayo.
You might think it’s Mexico’s Independence Day, but that’s a different holiday.
Get ready to uncover the real story!
People celebrate holidays for different reasons. Some mark changes in nature, like spring or harvest time, while others remember important moments in history.
For example, on the Fourth of July, American leaders told England they wanted to be their own country. November 11 is Veterans Day in the U.S. and also a special day in many countries because it marks the end of World War I, a huge and terrible war.
In Mexico, there are many national holidays, and one of them is Cinco de Mayo, which means the Fifth of May. It remembers a battle that happened on 5 May 1862, in the city of Puebla, Mexico.
At that time, Mexico was struggling. The country had been through wars and had little money. France, a powerful country with a huge army, decided to invade Mexico to take over. French troops, led by Emperor Napoleon III, thought they would easily win.
But the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, had other plans. Even though they had fewer soldiers and weapons, they fought hard and won the battle!
The victory gave Mexico hope and showed that courage and determination could defeat even the strongest armies. The city of Puebla still celebrates this victory every year, and it became a national holiday in Mexico.
However, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day. That happened on 16 September 1810, more than 50 years earlier.
Over time, Cinco de Mayo became a day to honor Mexican culture and heritage. In places with large Mexican-American communities, people hold parades, dance to mariachi music, and enjoy delicious Mexican food.
Today, it celebrates history, culture, and the strength of people who stand up for their freedom.
Review Cinco de Mayo with the following video.
Now, head to the Got It? section to show off what you learned!
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