While Cinco de Mayo celebrations are surely going to be different this year, the history behind the holiday is still quite fascinating. Here we take a brief look into the key points of the history of Cinco de Mayo.

“Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico gaining independence as a country, similar to Independence Day in the U.S. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for May 5) celebrates the Mexican army's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.”

“The country’s Independence Day is Sept. 16, now a national holiday. On that day in 1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo implored Mexico to revolt against Spain, leading to the War for Independence, which ended in 1821.”

“Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza’s unlikely victory occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.”

“About 36.6 million people of Mexican origin lived in the U.S. in 2017, according to the Pew Research Center. This includes immigrants from Mexico and people who can trace their heritage back to Mexico.”

“Historians believe that the first Cinco de Mayo celebrations were held by Mexican-Americans living in California during the American Civil War. It was not so much "celebrations" as political rallies held for the purpose of generating support for Mexico during the Franco-Mexican War, according to this report by Time on how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a historically accurate way.”

“It was popularized in the United States in the mid-1900s. You can partially thank President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Good Neighbor Policy.” Enacted in 1933, it sought to improve the relationship between America and Latin American countries. Cinco de Mayo also gained popularity through Chicano activists in the 1960s and 1970s, who identified with the Mexican Indian and mestizo (people of Mexican Indian and European descent) soldiers' triumph over European conquest attempts.”

“Chandler, Arizona may just take the tequila-soaked cake as far as Cinco de Mayo festivities go for its famous Cinco de Mayo chihuahua races. The town's celebration, recognizing the contribution its Hispanic residents have made to the community, features a fun-filled competition that results in cash prizes for the speediest member of the popular Mexican dog breed and the crowning of a King and Queen Chihuahua.”