This Tuesday, celebrations unfolded across the United States in honor of May 5th with margaritas, mariachi music, and plenty of tacos.
But here’s the twist: in Mexico itself, the holiday barely registers. Except in the state of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo comes and goes like any other Tuesday.
The Battle of Puebla
On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army pulled off an unlikely upset, defeating the heavily armed French troops of Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla.
France had its sights set on collecting debts and installing a European monarchy in Mexico. The victory was a stunning rebuke but today, only Puebla truly marks the occasion with parades and battle reenactments.
Related: Totoaba: The Fish Behind Baja California’s Identity and Ensenada’s Culinary Rise
In 1863, Mexican residents in California began commemorating the battle in solidarity with their homeland and as a show of resistance against European monarchies during the U.S. Civil War.
In the 1960s and ’70s, the Chicano movement breathed new life into the celebration. Before long, beer brands, restaurant chains, and retailers got wind of it. Commercialization took over, and Cinco de Mayo exploded across the country.
Today, millions of Americans treat May 5th as an excuse to feast on Tex-Mex and down tequila shots without knowing the historical context behind the date.
“It’s probably the most misunderstood holiday in the United States,” said Rick Stepp, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Florida’s Center for Latin American Studies. “It’s not a major national holiday at all. Kids in Puebla might have school events or a parade. But in the rest of Mexico? It’s just May 5th. The disconnect is really strange.”
Keep reading: Vikings in California? Hidden Castle Feels Like a Slice of Scandinavia
Misconceptions
It is not Mexico’s Independence Day. That’s September 16. A surprisingly common mix-up.
The rest of Mexico doesn’t make a big deal out of it. Only Puebla does. Yet many Americans assume the entire country is celebrating.
It’s not just “Mexican St. Patrick’s Day.” Reducing the holiday to tacos and tequila misses the point entirely.
This May Interest You: Baja California and Arizona Join Forces to Strengthen Binational Megaregion
A Call For Respect, Not Costumes
Lastly, leave the sombreros and sarapes in the closet. Dressing up like a stereotypical “Mexican” for Cinco de Mayo isn’t festive. It’s cultural appropriation.
Mexico’s history is rich, and its holidays run deep. The best way to honor Mexican culture is to celebrate with knowledge, authenticity, and respect.
Sources: Mental Floss, Alligator
