cinco de mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated on May 5 by Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Its name is Spanish for Fifth of May. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Though the French army had over three times as may soldiers and was far better equipped, General Ignacio Zaragoza led the Mexicans into a glorious victory. This battle happened after Emperor Napoleon the third of France sent troops to Mexico to conquer the country. Although the Mexicans won the battle of Puebla, the French later gained control of Mexico City and established their o...