Cinco de Mayo is an important holiday in Mexico which celebrates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. This battle is seen as a symbol of Mexican unity, strength and patriotism and is celebrated annually in Mexico and in Mexican-American communities throughout the United States.
However, the origins of the holiday in the United States have a more complicated history. The celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the United States began during the American Civil War, when Mexican Americans, who had been living in California and the Southwest, began to take a more active role in supporting the Union cause. The battle at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican unity and strength, and this was embraced by Mexican Americans and their civil rights allies.
The Mexican government began to take notice of the support from Mexican Americans and established several consulates in the United States, including in San Francisco, to rally and coordinate support from the community. In the late 19th century, Cinco de Mayo was celebrated in Mexican-American communities in the United States, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the holiday became widely celebrated in the United States, as part of the Chicano movement and the larger civil rights movement.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is a popular holiday in the United States. Many cities throughout the country hold parades and festivals to commemorate the day, and it is seen as a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage. Although the holiday has its origins in the American Civil War, it is now celebrated by people of all backgrounds throughout the United States.
