Not a Celebration of Independence

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the fifth of May and it is not a celebration of Mexico’s Independence (which took place on September 16 ^th 50 years prior to the Battle of Puebla).

It’s a celebration of Mexico’s victory in the battle at Puebla on May 5th, 1862 during the Franco-Mexican war.

This battle was a result of a severe economic crisis in Mexico in which then-president Benito Jaurez stopped the payment of an external debt in an effort to heal his country's dwindling financial resources. After numerous diplomatic attempts by Spain, England and France and the failure to resolve the issue, French leader Napoleon III attempted to take control of Mexico.

It was an unlikely win for the Mexican militia who were heavily outnumbered by the French. The victory became a source of pride for the country and is the reason we continue to celebrate today.

Mexico won the battle, but not the war

The Mexican Army won the battle at Puebla on May 5th, 1862 the French went on to win the war, occupying the region for five years.

What Cinco De Mayo has to do with the United States

For the leader of France, Napoleon III, the battle at Puebla was an attempt at not only spreading his empire but at conquering a key Mexican access point to the U.S., where he intended to lend support to the confederate army during the Civil War in an effort to keep the U.S. divided and consequently less powerful.

Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, Mexico and France

Abraham Lincoln sympathized with the Mexican cause during the French occupation but was unable to lend direct support to the nation due to the U.S. Civil War, which was taking place at the same time. When the Civil War finally ended, the U.S. forced France to withdraw its troops from Mexico and their empire collapsed.

It is not a federal holiday in Mexico

In Puebla and Veracruz, however, Cinco de Mayo is a very important state holiday celebrated with parades, festivals and reenactments. The world’s largest Cinco de Mayo party is held in Los Angeles, California! Other U.S. cities that throw big celebrations for Cinco de Mayo are Denver, New York, Phoenix and Houston.

Roosevelt helped popularize Cinco de Mayo in the U.S.

Cinco de Mayo became a popular holiday in the U.S. after President Franklin Roosevelt enacted the “Good Neighbor Policy” in 1933 to improve relations with Latin American countries.

Some even celebrate with Chihuahua races

One U.S. city celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Chihuahua race. Can you guess which city? It’s Chandler, Arizona. Even Vancouver celebrates, marking the day with a “skydiving boogie” that consists of aerial acrobatics and an air show.

.Info Courtesy of Tio Juan’s Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

Cinco De Mayo - What To Eat

Food is always a great way to honor and celebrate an event, a culture actually food is a celebration. Here are our picks for some traditional and not so traditional Cinco De Mayo dishes, drinks and desserts.

Rainbow Salsa

Colorful food is the best kind of party decor.

Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

Guacamole (Americans consume up to 81 million avocados on Cinco de Mayo)

Make this avocado salad smooth or chunky depending on your tastes."

Get the recipe from allrecipes by: Bob Cody

Cinco de Mayo Salsa Cruda

Traditional and then some - make twice as much as you think you need

Get the recipe from allrecipes by Chef John

Mexican Street Corn Nachos

You didn't think it was possible to love corn this much, but oh, it is.

Gets the recipe from Closet Cooking

Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Dip

All the enchilada goodness you love, none of the work.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Instead of serving traditional fajitas, stuff them inside a quesadilla for portable party food.

Get the recipe from Jo Cooks.

Sizzling Shrimp Quesadillas

Spice up shrimp in tasty quesadillas with ground chipotle chile and chopped serrano chiles.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Carne Asada

This easy dinner recipe blends cumin, Mexican oregano, and chipotle spices for a zesty take on a simple skirt steak.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Lime Cabbage Slaw

Nothing says "summer is almost here" like fish tacos.

Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.

What to Drink - Mostly Tequila

According to the Daily Meal, the United States consumes twice as much Tequila as Mexico, where the spirit originated.

Cucumber-Jalapeño Margarita

Both cool and spicy, this margarita recipe is the only recipe you need to get you through summer day.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Slushy Margarita Shots

No description needed. Could these look any more festive?

Get the recipe from Delish.

Blood Orange Margaritas

You can't beat a pretty pink drink.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Watermelon Agua Fresca (Skip the white wine ice cubes for non alcoholic version)

A refreshing agua fresca is a popular drink in Mexico and all over Latin America. Agua frescas are basically fresh ripe fruit juices, sweetened and served over or blended with ice. An interesting variation is to freeze a fruity white wine and then crush it and substitute it for the crushed ice. Make two batches of this recipe to serve six people.

Get the recipe from fine Cooking.

What to serve for Dessert!

Coconut Flan

For this recipe, traditional caramel is amped up with coconut milk and sweetened flaked coconut.

Get the recipe from Delish

Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème

If you haven't had Mexican chocolate, flavored with ingredients like cinnamon, almonds, and vanilla, prepare to totally fall in love.

Get the recipe from Delish.

What not to do on Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in the United States than in Mexico. Here, this unofficial holiday is almost as popular as, oh, St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoy traditional Mexican libations, but not as an excuse to get inebriated

There's a thin line between enjoying a drink special with friends and running amok after taking 13 shots of tequila. So much so that it's been nicknamed, Cinco de Drinko and even Gringo de Mayo.

Don’t wear sombreros and fake mustaches because, well, stereotypes

While it may seem like all fun and games, these costumes essentially reduce cultural and traditional costumes to a caricature.

Avoid using your high school level Spanish with native Spanish speakers

Just have fun, enjoy the festivities, and don’t be annoying.