Cinco de Mayo means May 5th. It is a regional holiday in the city of Puebla, which is in southeastern Mexico. On May 5, 1862, General Ignacio Zaragoza's army defeated French forces near Puebla. Although the Battle of Puebla did not prevent the French occupation of Mexico, it was a moral victory for the Mexican Army. Cinco de Mayo is also popular in the United States. American restaurants and bars serve Mexican food and drinks. People of all origins attend parties and listen to Mexican mariachi music. Students in K-12 and ESL classes learn about the history of Mexico and the Battle of Puebla. (3-page lesson)
When is Cinco de Mayo?
It is on May 5th each year.
It is a holiday to celebrate the Mexican victory over the French troops at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Where is Puebla, Mexico?
Puebla is in the southeastern part of Mexico.
Mexico is in North America, south of the United States.
Over 113,000,000 people live in Mexico.