Although this year’s celebration will be far different from those in the past, there is still quite a bit of interesting history behind Cinco de Mayo. Here is a brief history of what has become a national holiday fairly recently.

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army's May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Tuesday, May 5 in 2020, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day.

“While it does celebrate a national victory, Cinco de Mayo isn't Mexican Independence Day. The actually Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16.”

“At one time, Cinco de Mayo was widely celebrated in all of Mexico and by Mexicans living in former Mexican territories, such as Texas and California. After a while, it was ignored in Mexico but the celebrations continued north of the border where people never got out of the habit of remembering the famous battle.”

“In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations.”

“Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in the United States in 1863 in Southern California. The celebration was in support of solidarity with Mexico against French rule. By the 1930s the holiday became an opportunity to celebrate Mexican identity, promote ethnic consciousness and build community solidarity.”

“Cinco de Mayo wasn’t recognized in the United States until 1933 when President Franklin Roosevelt helped create the “Good Neighbor Policy” to improve relationships with Latin American countries.”

“It was recognized as a national holiday in the U.S. in 2005. Congress issued a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Cinco. They called upon the President (George W. Bush) to make a proclamation for the holiday to be celebrated across the nation.”