Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5th that commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. It is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is on September 16th.
The holiday is celebrated in Mexico but it has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico but it has become a popular celebration in the United States. It is celebrated with parades, parties, mariachi music, traditional Mexican food and drinks such as margaritas and tequila.
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