Cinco de Mayo is often confused as Mexico's Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo commemorates an army victory in the "Batalla de Puebla" against the French in 1862, during the French occupation.

Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated in the state of Puebla. Commercial interests in the United States and Mexico have also been successful in promoting the holiday, with products and services focused on Mexican food, beverage and festive items. U.S. merchants identify this as a new venue in order to build and attract customers via this new theme. Cinco de Mayo is becoming increasingly popular due to several factors like 1) Retailer distribution of Mexican products 2) Mexican representation of retailers dollars and 3) Party time venues with Cinco de Mayo theme. Mexico Tax Free Shopping

Cinco de Mayo History - After the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, a devastated Mexico found itself owing other countries vast sums of money. In 1861, Mexican president Benito Juarez announced that Mexico would not pay its debts to other nations for two years. England, Spain and France then invaded the country to get payment. The Spanish and English eventually left, but Napoleon III of France left his troops in Mexico in order create a French empire in the beleaguered country. In preparing to take over the country, the powerful French army advanced from Vera Cruz toward Mexico City, assuming that the Mexicans would give up without a fight. But on May 5, 1862, in the fortified city of Puebla, a poorly equipped army of 4,800 Mexicans defeated the overconfident French troops. Although this did not end the French occupation, the victory came to symbolize the Mexican people's determination to remain free from foreign control. On May 5th. Share the food, music and Mexican heritage.

Puebla, Mexico was established by the Spanish in 1531 on the main route between the port of Veracruz (the most important port in Mexico) and Mexico City, Puebla was the principal city of colonial Mexico. Puebla's appearance is the most European of all the colonial cities, because it was planned from the ground up by a Spanish city designer rather than being built within an existing Indian community.