Cinco de Mayo literally means “Fifth of May” in Spanish, and it commemorates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, not the country’s independence as many people assume.

The holiday honors a surprising underdog victory, where about 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much larger and better equipped French army that had not lost a major battle in nearly 50 years.

The Mexican forces at Puebla were led by Ignacio Zaragoza, who became a national hero even though he died just months later from illness rather than in combat.

In Mexico overall, Cinco de Mayo is not a major nationwide holiday and is mostly observed with ceremonies rather than large parties.

The state of Puebla, where the battle took place, treats Cinco de Mayo as a major regional holiday with parades, festivals, and reenactments.

The French invasion that led to the battle was part of a broader conflict known as the Second French Intervention in Mexico, which followed years of financial and political instability in the country. Mexico had suspended payments on foreign debts under President Benito Juárez, prompting European powers to send forces to demand repayment.

While Britain and Spain eventually backed off, France decided to try to establish an empire in Mexico under its ruler Napoleon III. Despite the Mexican victory at Puebla, French forces later returned with a much larger army, captured Mexico City, and installed Emperor Maximilian I. Maximilian I ruled Mexico for only a few years before being captured and executed in 1867 after Mexican forces regained control.

The Battle of Puebla gave a huge morale boost to Mexico, strengthening national unity during a difficult time.

Some historians believe that if Mexico had lost at Puebla, France might have supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War, potentially changing U.S. history.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States began almost immediately in 1862 among Mexican communities in California.

One of the earliest recorded celebrations happened in Columbia, California, where Mexican miners celebrated the victory with fireworks and speeches.

Spanish language newspapers in California reported on the battle and helped spread excitement among Mexican Americans.

Early Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States were tied to support for democracy and resistance against European monarchies.

Groups called Juntas Patrióticas organized events and even raised money to support Mexico during the conflict.

Women also played a role, forming groups like the Junta Patriótica de las Señoras de Sonora to support the Mexican cause.

The holiday gained renewed significance during the Chicano Movement in the mid 20th century as a symbol of cultural pride.

Cinco de Mayo did not become widely popular across the United States until the 1980s. Its rise in popularity was heavily influenced by marketing campaigns from beer, wine, and tequila companies.

Today, Cinco de Mayo ranks among the biggest beer selling days in the United States, rivaling events like the Super Bowl.

In 2013 alone, Americans spent more than $600 million on beer for Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Los Angeles once hosted the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the world, with Fiesta Broadway drawing crowds of over 500,000 people at its peak.

Modern celebrations in the United States often focus more on Mexican American culture than the historical battle itself.

Common activities include mariachi music, folkloric dancing, parades, and traditional foods like tacos and mole.

In Puebla, the celebration includes large scale reenactments of the battle, with participants dressed as both Mexican and French soldiers.

The city also hosts events like the Festival Internacional de Puebla and a festival dedicated to mole poblano, one of Mexico’s most famous dishes.

Although it is not a federal holiday in Mexico, all public schools are closed nationwide on May 5.

Cinco de Mayo is sometimes called “El Día de la Batalla de Puebla” in Mexico to emphasize its historical roots.

A major avenue in Mexico City, Avenida Cinco de Mayo, was named after the battle to honor the victory.

U.S. Congress officially recognized Cinco de Mayo in 2005, encouraging Americans to celebrate it with appropriate ceremonies.

Schools across the United States often use the holiday to teach students about Mexican history and culture.