Home History The Americanization of Cinco de Mayo

The Americanization of Cinco de Mayo

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Do you actually know what you’re celebrating on Cinco de Mayo or the significance of that date in Mexican history?

While Americans have turned the day into another reason to party and throw back some margaritas, it actually signifies Mexico’s surprising military victory over Napoleon III’s French troops at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Outmatched 6,000 to 2,000, Mexican troops defended the town and sent the French into retreat. The small victory proved to be a symbolic shift in the war against the French, who completely withdrew five years later.

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Amanda Prater, Cooperative Strategies

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