Cinco de Mayo

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Cinco de Mayo is actually a commemoration of a victory by Mexican troops over the French in La Batalla de Puebla in 1862. It is celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S.cities with a significant Mexican population.
The battle at Puebla in 1862 happened at a violent and chaotic time in Mexico's history. Mexico had finally gained independence from Spain in 1810, and a number of internal political takeovers and wars. During this period Mexico had accumulated heavy debts to several nations including England, Spain, and France. France was wanting to add on to their empire at that time, and when Mexico finally stopped making any loan payments, France used the debt issue to establish its own leadership in Mexico by installing Napoleon's relative, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as ruler of Mexico.
The French invaded the Gulf of Mexico and marched toward Mexico City. The French meet a strong resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. The Mexican troops were lead by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. The Mexicans had a militia of about 4,500 and was able the stop and defeat the French, who had an army of about 6,500. The victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots and is the cause for the historical date's celebration.
Cinco de Mayo honors the bravery and victory of General Zaragoza's small, outnumbered militia at the Battle of Puebla in 1862....