Cinco de Mayo, May 5, commemorates Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 — and despite the common mix-up, it is not Mexico's Independence Day (that's September 16). This countdown runs to the next one.
On May 5, 1862, General Ignacio Zaragoza's outnumbered Mexican forces defeated an invading French army at Puebla. The victory became a lasting symbol of Mexican resistance and pride.
In Mexico the day is mainly observed in the state of Puebla; in the United States it grew into a broad celebration of Mexican-American culture, food and music.