Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrated annually on May 5 to commemorate the Mexican army's victory over the French forces of Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This battle was significant because a smaller, poorly equipped Mexican force, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated a larger and better- equipped French army, symbolizing Mexican resistance to foreign domination

. While Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day (which is celebrated on September 16), it holds cultural importance, especially in the Mexican state of Puebla where the battle took place. In Puebla, the day is marked with military parades, battle reenactments, festivals, and traditional meals. It is an official holiday in Puebla and some neighboring states, though not a national statutory holiday in Mexico

. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a widespread celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in regions with large Mexican- American populations. Festivities often include parades, mariachi music, traditional foods, dancing, and cultural events. The holiday gained popularity in the U.S. beyond Mexican-American communities in the 1980s, partly due to marketing by beer and tequila companies, and is now a significant cultural observance

. In summary, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the 1862 Battle of Puebla victory and has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture, especially in the United States.