Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over the French expeditionary forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It has become a celebration and identification with Mexicans, their culture, food, and music by Anglos and other unrelated ethnic groups. It is often mistakenly assumed to be Mexico’s independence day, and in practice, it is usually celebrated on a superficial level. In other words, it’s a good excuse to party.
