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Cinco De Mayo, not Mexican Independence Day

Posted: May 5, 2009 @ 5:45 am In Today's Local News

Today is Cinco De Mayo, and contrary to popular belief, it's not Mexican Independence Day. It actually commemorates a battle in 1862 that pitted French and Mexican forces against each other. At the time, Mexico was in financial debt to France, and Napoleon the Third used the opportunity to seize Mexican territory. On May fifth, French troops stormed the city of Puebla. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers while fewer than 100 Mexicans were killed. Today, Mexicans celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla as Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in Mexico.

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