US Observes Cinco de Mayo with Festivals

Communities across the United States observed Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, marking the 164th anniversary of Mexico's unlikely military victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. The holiday, translating to "fifth of May," drew large crowds to parades, festivals, and restaurants in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Denver, blending Mexican heritage with American festivities.

The Battle of Puebla occurred on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. An outnumbered Mexican army of about 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, repelled roughly 6,000 better-equipped French troops under Napoleon III. Despite heavy losses, the Mexicans held the city, 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, inflicting significant casualties and forcing a French retreat. Zaragoza declared the national arms had "covered themselves in glory." Though France later occupied Mexico until 1867, the win symbolized resistance to foreign intervention and boosted morale amid Mexico's debt crisis.

In Mexico, celebrations remain centered in Puebla, featuring military parades, historical reenactments with participants dressed as soldiers, and festivals like the...