Cinco de Mayo is an important day of the year in the United States to celebrate Mexican heritage. I say the United States because Cinco de Mayo is not actually a very important day in Mexico. The celebrations on Cinco de Mayo originate from the battle of Puebla, which occurred on May 5th. In this battle, the underdog Mexican forces defeated French aggressors during the Franco-Mexican War. Although this might sound important, it is a day that is not widely celebrated in Mexico- except for in the State of Puebla where the battle occurred. Cinco de Mayo is analogous to Patriot’s Day, a holiday only celebrated in Massachusetts that celebrates a local source of pride rather than something that matters to the country as a whole. So why do people across America care about Cinco de Mayo?

Well, it turns out that the battle of Puebla actually shaped U.S. history as well. The Franco-Mexican war was being fought at the same time as the American Civil War and the French were leaning towards the Confederacy. It is speculated that if the French had been victorious in Puebla, they would have been able to make Mexico a stronghold and would be able to aid the Confederacy from the South. For Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a day to be grateful that the Mexican army helped the Union, even if it was not intentional.

However, many Americans have no idea that this was the case. Many Americans have no idea what they are celebrating on Cinco de Mayo. They just use it as an excuse to get drunk and stereotype Mexican culture. Rather than abusing this day Americans, should be celebrating the seeds of a positive relationship we had with Mexico and use it as an encouragement for an even closer relationship in the future.