INFO PV

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day as many believe. Mexican Independence Day is September 16.

Cinco de Mayo marks the date of an important battle between a 6,000 man French army and 5,000 brave Mestizo and Zapotec natives of Mexico, led by Ignacio Zaragoza, and known as the Batalla de Puebla, that took place just south of Mexico City.

Mexico had recently issued a statement to end payments due to Spain, England and France for loans that had been made to the country. Spain and England agreed to the proposal, but France which was then being led by Napoleon refused. Napoleon wanted Mexico as part of his empire.

So the battle of Puebla played out on May 5, 1862, with the ill-equipped Mexicans defeating the mighty French.

Unfortunately, it was a short-lived victory, as three days later the French regrouped, marched into the capital, and took control with the help of the conservative Mexican party.