As we mentioned before Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, which was actually declared on September 15, 1810, but the 5th of May 1862 has as much significance in Mexican history.

So what is the story behind Cinco de Mayo?

In 1855, a Zapotec Indian leader, Benito Juarez became minister of a new Mexican regime and issued two new controversial laws. One denied the right of the church and military courts to try civilian cases and the other made the sale and distribution of church lands legal. Many people disagreed with these laws and for three years a civil war raged between the two sides.

In 1861, Juarez took control of Mexico City, and put his new Constitution into effect. Not only did the laws split the country, it caused the civil war that left Juarez in debt to Spain, France and England. The three countries were concerned about the debt, so they held a meeting in London, at which Spain and Britain decided to waive the debt in exchange for military control of the Custom House in Vera Cruz. France did not agree and invaded Mexico in hopes of defeating the country and disposing of Juarez.

The French troops, the best trained and equipped in the world at that time, marched into the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862 expecting no resistance. The French army consisted of 6,000 men under the command of Marshal Lorencz. The French were met by an armed force of 2,000 peasants under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza. Union forces were sent to the Texas/Mexican border under General Phil Sheridan, who made sure that the Mexicans got all the weapons and ammunition they needed to expel the French. The Mexican guerilla forces successfully defended their positions and attacked and drove back the French forces. The Victory was short-lived however as the French within a year did successfully conquer Puebla and the rest of Mexico and ruled until 1867 when Juarez was once again restored to power.

And while the Mexicans eventually did lose, the battle was important because it represented a peoples struggle for freedom and liberty and that is why it continues to be celebrated today.

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