Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the United States? Not to be confusedwith mexican Independence day, which occurs on September 16 Cinco de Mayo Battle of Puebla Observed by Americans, mixed nationality citizens of Puebla, Puebla Type multinational Date May 5, 1862 Observances * Regional celebration in Mexico of battle victory. Celebration in the United States of Mexican-American culture and experiences. Only somewhat celebrated in Mexico. Food, music, folkloric dancing Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a voluntarily observed holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Pueblaon May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.23 It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States.4[567 While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.[8] Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day,[9] themost important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.
