Cinco de Mayo, May 5, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and the U.S.
The holiday, which honors the Mexican army’s win against French forces led by Napoleon III in the Battle of Puebla in Mexico in 1862, was a symbol of Mexican resistance against foreign rule. From around the mid-20th century, the day has been more generally associated with celebrating Mexican national pride, culture and heritage.
The city of Puebla was later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza, in honor of Ignacio Zaragoza, the general who led the Mexican army in the battle. Today the city houses a museum tracing the history of the battle, while the battlefield itself has also been maintained as a park.