Today is May 5th, or in Spanish: Cinco de Mayo.

Here are some things you may not know about the Mexican holiday.

First: It’s not Mexican independence day. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Second: The French were trying to take advantage of the United States being distracted by its Civil War to establish a foothold in the Americas. While the Mexicans won the battle, they lost the war in the short term, resulting in the establishment of the French-backed Second Mexican Empire in 1864. The French withdrew their support in 1866 which led to the reestablishment of the Mexican Republic in 1867.

Third: It’s probably more popular in the United States than it is in Mexico. While it’s not officially a national holiday in either country, it is more widely celebrated north of the border. In Mexico, it’s an official holiday in the states of Puebla and Veracruz.

Our question: On what date is Mexican Independence Day celebrated?

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