Cinco de Mayo: 5 Fascinating Facts You Might Not Know

Although Cinco de Mayo literally means 'Fifth of May,' there's far more to this vibrant annual celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture in the U.S. than just margarita-filled parties across the country. Before you don your sombrero and head out for a round of tequila, take a moment to learn these five fascinating facts about the holiday.

1. Cinco de Mayo honors Mexico's triumph over France at the Battle of Puebla.

The tradition of drinking margaritas on Cinco de Mayo stems from a historic event in 1862, when a small group of Mexicans overcame a larger, more powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla. This battle was part of the Franco-Mexican War, which began after Mexico defaulted on European loans, and lasted another five years. The victory in Puebla was a significant moment in the war, and celebrations of the triumph began shortly after, particularly among Mexican miners in California who celebrated with cheers, gunshots, and fireworks.

2. A resolution was passed by Congress to officially recognize Cinco de Mayo.

By the mid-20th century, Cinco de Mayo had shifted from being a Mexican holiday to an American celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. The holiday gained momentum in the U.S. during the 1960s alongside the Chicano Civil Rights Movement (El Movimiento), and in 2005, Congress passed a resolution acknowledging the holiday's “historical significance.”

3. Los Angeles hosts one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations worldwide.

Every year, downtown Los Angeles shuts down major streets to host Fiesta Broadway, a vibrant afternoon full of music, food, and crafts celebrating Hispanic culture. First held in 1990, Fiesta Broadway was inspired by Miami's renowned Calle Ocho street party.

4. The history of Cinco de Mayo’s signature liquor stretches back to the 16th century.

Tequila, the beloved drink of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations, is made from the agave plant. The version we know today, brewed from the blue agave of Mexico's Jalisco region, traces its roots to the 1500s, when Spanish settlers introduced the art of distilling. Long before that, the Aztecs produced a beer-like beverage called pulque from a different agave plant, the maguey. This drink was reserved for priests, and the origin stories behind it are filled with myth, including one tale where a drunken opossum is said to have discovered the plant’s nectar, and another where lightning from the gods split the plant, revealing it to humans.

5. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day.

Many people in the U.S. mistakenly believe Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day. However, Mexico’s true Día de la Independencia falls on September 16. This day marks the 1810 speech by Spanish priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who called for Mexicans to rise up against Spanish rule while advocating for racial and class equality. Eleven years later, Spain recognized Mexico’s declaration of independence.

A version of this article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for 2023.