Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and the United States. It commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. The Battle of Puebla took place during a time of great political and social upheaval in Mexico. The country had been in a state of turmoil since gaining independence from Spain in 1821 and was struggling with issues such as economic instability, political corruption, and foreign intervention. In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juarez declared a temporary moratorium on the country's foreign debt payments, which angered France, Britain, and Spain, all of whom had loaned money to Mexico.

 The French, under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon III, saw this as an opportunity to establish a French presence in Mexico and collect on their debt. In late 1861, French troops landed in the port city of Veracruz and began to advance towards Mexico City. The Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, met them at the city of Puebla, where they engaged in a fierce battle. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Mexican army emerged victorious after a day-long battle. The victory was a significant morale boost for the Mexican people and gave them hope that they could resist foreign intervention. While the French ultimately captured Mexico City and established a puppet government, the Battle of Puebla remains an important symbol of Mexican resistance and patriotism. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place. It is marked by parades, speeches, and reenactments of the battle. In the United States, however, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a different meaning and is more widely celebrated as a cultural holiday.