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Cinco de Mayo: More Than Just a Party – The Forgotten History

A Common Misconception
Many believe Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s independence from Spain (that’s actually September 16) or the Mexican Revolution (November 20). Others assume it’s just a marketing ploy for beer and guacamole. In reality, the date commemorates an improbable military victory: On May 5, 1862, an outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexican army defeated elite French forces at the Battle of Puebla. This underdog triumph may have even altered the course of the American Civil War.

The Debt That Sparked a War
In 1860, Mexico—bankrupt after decades of internal conflict—defaulted on its debts to European powers. France, Britain, and Spain sent a joint force in 1861 to collect. While Britain and Spain negotiated, France’s Napoleon III saw an opportunity: turning Mexico into a French colony.

France’s Hidden Agenda
With the U.S. distracted by the Civil War (1861–1865), Napoleon III planned to install a puppet government in Mexico City. In exchange for Southern cotton (scarce in Europe due to Union blockades), France would supply weapons to the Confederacy. In early 1862, confident French troops marched toward Mexico City—only to be stunned at Puebla by General Ignacio Zaragoza’s ragtag forces.

A Year That Changed History
The French retreated, delaying their invasion for a full year. That delay may have been crucial: By the time France captured Puebla in 1863, Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg had turned the tide of the Civil War. "Even if France had armed the Confederacy by mid-1863, it was too late," says military historian Eric Rojo.

Why the U.S. Celebrates
News of Puebla electrified Latinos in California, many of whom had fled Mexico’s earlier wars or arrived during the Gold Rush. They formed Juntas Patrióticas (Patriotic Assemblies), raising funds for both Mexico’s resistance and the Union cause. Their Cinco de Mayo celebrations featured parades with Mexican and American flags, fiery speeches, and Spanish versions of The Star-Spangled Banner.

A Lost Legacy
"Los Angeles has celebrated Cinco de Mayo without interruption since 1862—but the original meaning faded," says UCLA’s David Hayes-Bautista. While Mexico ultimately expelled the French in 1867 (executing Napoleon’s puppet emperor), in the U.S., the date became a symbol of Latino resilience—long before it became a party theme.

Fun Fact: France finally withdrew from Mexico in 1867 after U.S. pressure, post-Civil War.