Cinco De Mayo History
In 1861, Benito Juárez stopped making interest payments to countries
that Mexico owed money to. In response, France[11] attacked Mexico to force payment of this debt. France decided that itwould try to take over and occupy Mexico.[12]
France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5,
1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In the Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French advance on Mexico City.
A year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces
placed Emperor Maximilian I on the throne of Mexico in 1864. The French, under pressure from the United States, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867. Maximilian was deposed by President Benito Juárez and executed, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
The Battle of Puebla was important for at least two reasons.
First, although considerably outnumbered, the Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army. “This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.”[13][14]
Second, it was significant because since the Battle of Puebla no
country in the Americas has been invaded by an army from another
continent.[15]
What is Cinco De Mayo?