Cinco de Mayo

Some people believe that Cinco DE mayo is a Mexican independence day. That is wrong. First Mexico was under Spanish rule until 1821. After that Mexico fought with the U.S. Then had another civil war within its own borders. The country could not pay back its loans to Spain,France,and other countries. Those countries then decided to invade Mexico as a result. Napoleon the third wanted more than just money. He wanted to overthrow the Mexican government. Once Spain knew what the French were up to they withdrew. In 1862 french troops landed in Veracruz and were headed to Mexico city. What the french were not expecting was that a few thousand Mexican troops were at the city of Puebla waiting. The French reached Puebla may 5 on the way to Mexico city.The Mexicans were outnumbered but nevertheless the Mexicans killed a few thousand french and the remaining french retreated. Word of this victory spread throughout Mexico and Cinco de Mayo was declared a national holiday. Once Napoleon knew of this defeat he sent 30,000 more troops into Mexico and a year later The Mexicans were defeated. Even under French occupation the Mexicans still celebrated Cinco De Mayo.In 1867 the french army was overthrown. Mexicans still celebrate it today.