Cinco de Mayo: Meaning, battle of Puebla, and celebrations explained

Cinco de Mayo, celebrated every year on May 5, honors the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on this day in 1862. Despite being outnumbered and under-equipped, the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated the much larger and better-equipped French army. The victory became a symbol of resistance and pride for Mexico, marking a pivotal moment in the Second French Intervention.

Meaning and pronunciation

Cinco de Mayo means "Fifth of May" in Spanish. Cinco de Mayo is pronounced cin-koh deh my-oh in English. The Spanish pronunciation is [ˈsiŋ.ko ðe ˈma.ʝo]. In Spanish, the "cinco" is pronounced as "sing-koh", and the "de" is a prepostion meaning "of". The Cambridge Dictionary provides the pronunciation in both English and Spanish.

What happened on Cinco de Mayo?

On May 5, 1862, a determined Mexican force of about 2,000 soldiers faced off against 6,000 French troops led by General Felix de Lorencez. After hours of fierce fighting, 1,000 French soldiers were killed, while fewer than 500 Mexicans lost their lives. The unexpected Mexican victory was celebrated across the country and continues to be a source of national pride.

Origins and misunderstanding

Though widely celebrated in the US, Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood. It is not Mexico's Independence Day. Instead, Cinco de Mayo is specifically about commemorating Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. It became especially prominent in the United States, where it is seen as a day to celebrate Mexican culture, heritage, and contributions to American society.

How do people celebrate?

In both the US and Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a day for festivities, including parades, mariachi music, folk dancing, and Mexican cuisine. People often dress in colorful, festive clothing, with many wearing the colors of the Mexican flag—red, white, and green. In the US, it has grown into a larger celebration of Mexican-American culture, with cities like Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Chicago hosting vibrant celebrations.

“Feliz Cinco de Mayo!”

On Cinco de Mayo, a common greeting in Spanish is "Feliz Cinco de Mayo!" meaning "Happy Fifth of May." This phrase is used to spread joy and celebrate the cultural significance of the holiday.

A day of reflection and pride

While the holiday is celebrated primarily in the US today, the City of Puebla remains the focal point of the day in Mexico, with reenactments, cultural events, and parades commemorating the historic victory. Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder of Mexico's resilience and a celebration of Mexican culture, history, and heritage.