Are You Ready? It's Time to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo!

By Lourdes Medrano | 04/26/2012 - 13:40 | 0 Comments

Cinco de Mayo fiestas abound north of the border. But do you know the history of this Mexican holiday and how it came to be popular in this country? Here are five interesting tidbits about one of our favorite holidays:

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Cinco de Mayo 101

The holiday commemorates the victory of a Mexican army over the French in Puebla (east of Mexico City) on May 5, 1862, during a period of political unrest that left Mexico nearly broke. Earlier, President Benito Juarez had suspended payment on all foreign debt, while several countries attempted to invade Mexico – only the French persevered with the intent of building an empire in North America. Mexico's jubilation over its Puebla win didn't last. The French later occupied Mexico and ruled it until 1867.