![The Cinco De Mayo Parade](http://media.assettype.com/outlooktraveller%2Fimport%2Foutlooktraveller%2Fpublic%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fsee%2Fshutterstock_1055384732.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Cinco de Mayo might not be the Mexican independence day people confuse it to be, but it sure does celebrate a victory. A jolly, vibrant festival popular in Pueblo, Cinco de Mayo, which translates to the 5th of May, is celebrated to commemorate the valour of the Mexican army that drove out foreign troops on May 5th,1862.
Mexico had been riddled with a back-breaking debt owing to three wars the country had fought. In 1862, the French, Spanish and English troops had rung the war bells on Mexico for imposing a moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts. Although the Spanish and English armies had retreated, the French troops were here to stay and establish a monarchy. On May 5th, the French army was defeated and driven out, and Puebla became the Mexican epitome of resistance and independence.
While some areas in Mexico also celebrate the day, it&rsquos primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with festivities ranging from parades to locals recreating battle scenes. But the loudest celebrations happen in America Cinco de Mayo was declared a national holiday in the USA in 2005, and the Americans go all in Jubilant American Cinco de Mayo celebrations include parades, battle enactments, merry mariachi bands, and of course, fireworks.
According to history, the first celebrations of Cinco de Mayo were started by Mexican-Americans living in California during the American Civil War, in order to garner support for Mexico during the French-Mexico war.
This exciting celebration is overloaded with traditional Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tortilla chips and tacos with a lot of salsa. Poblanos, a rich chocolate and chili sauce, is one of the most popular dishes to go around on Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo was a rally cry during the war, and today, serves as a reminder of Mexico's heritage and continued efforts towards development and growth.