Walk into any bar in Chicago or Los Angeles on the first Tuesday of May and you’ll hear it. People shouting feliz 5 de mayo over the sound of blender-mashed margaritas and cheap tequila shots. It’s loud. It’s colorful. Honestly, it’s usually a bit of a mess. But if you asked the person wearing the oversized sombrero exactly what they’re celebrating, there’s a 90% chance they’ll tell you it’s Mexican Independence Day.
They are wrong. Dead wrong.
Mexico’s actual Independence Day is September 16. That’s the big one. That’s the "Grito de Dolores." In contrast, May 5 commemorates a single, scrappy military victory in 1862. It wasn't even the end of the war. If you go to Mexico City on May 5, you might not even realize anything special is happening. It’s just another workday for most of the country.
So, why does the US go so hard for this specific date? The answer is a weird mix of 19th-century geopolitics, Chicano activism in the 1960s, and a massive amount of beer marketing in the 1980s.
The Battle of Puebla: What Actually Happened
Basically, Mexico was broke. After the Reform War, the Mexican government under Benito Juárez was essentially bankrupt and suspended all payments on foreign debts for two years. This didn't sit well with Europe. England, Spain, and France sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand their money.
England and Spain eventually made a deal and left. Napoleon III of France had other ideas. He wanted to carve out an empire in Latin America to curb US influence. This led to the French intervention.
The French army was considered the best in the world at the time. They were well-equipped, professional, and confident. When they marched toward Mexico City, they encountered a ragtag group of about 4,000 Mexican soldiers at the city of Puebla. These weren't elite troops. Many were locals and indigenous Zacapoaxtla and Xochiapulco people armed with outdated rifles and machetes.
Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza—who was actually born in what is now Texas—the Mexican forces did the impossible. On May 5, 1862, they held their ground. The French retreated after losing nearly 500 men. It was a massive morale boost. It proved that the "invincible" French could be beaten.
The Civil War Connection
Here is the part most people skip in history class. The American Civil War was happening at the same time. Napoleon III wanted to support the Confederacy. He needed cotton. He wanted a divided United States.
If the French had smashed through Puebla and taken Mexico City quickly in 1862, they might have moved north to provide the South with much-needed supplies and military recognition. By winning at Puebla, the Mexican army inadvertently helped the Union. They kept the French busy.
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When Latinos in California heard the news of the victory at Puebla, they celebrated. For them, it wasn't just about Mexico; it was a win for democracy over monarchy and a blow against the pro-slavery forces in the US. This is why feliz 5 de mayo has such deep roots in the American West specifically. It was born as a celebration of resistance against oppression.
Why it became a "Marketing Holiday"
For decades, the day remained a relatively quiet regional celebration in places like Texas and California. Then came the 1960s. Chicano activists embraced the holiday as a symbol of ethnic pride. It was about "La Raza." It was a way to honor Mexican heritage in a country that often tried to suppress it.
But the 1980s changed everything.
Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing Company saw an opportunity. They started pouring millions into advertising campaigns for Cinco de Mayo. They turned a day of resistance into a "Mexican St. Patrick's Day." Suddenly, it wasn't about General Zaragoza or the French intervention. It was about "Coronaholics" and "Taco Tuesdays" on steroids.
By the time the 1990s rolled around, the commercialization was complete. In 2013 alone, Americans spent more than $600 million on beer for the holiday. That is more beer than is sold for the Super Bowl or St. Patrick's Day. It's a corporate juggernaut.
Where people actually celebrate in Mexico
If you really want to say feliz 5 de mayo in a place where it matters, you go to Puebla. That’s the only spot in Mexico where the holiday is a massive deal. They have huge parades. There are battle reenactments where people dress up in period uniforms. The energy is electric.
Elsewhere? Not so much. In most of Mexico, it’s a regional holiday. Schools might close, but the banks and government offices usually stay open. It’s a far cry from the tequila-soaked frenzy you see in San Antonio or Denver.
Misconceptions that won't die
The biggest myth is the "Independence Day" thing. We've covered that. But another one is that it's a celebration of Mexican culture as a whole. In reality, it’s a celebration of a very specific moment of military defiance.
Another misconception? That the food we eat on May 5 is authentic.
Most people in the US eat "Tex-Mex" on this day. Think hard-shell tacos, yellow cheese, and nachos. In Puebla, the traditional dish is Mole Poblano. It’s a complex, dark sauce made with chiles, spices, and chocolate, usually served over turkey or chicken. It’s savory, not sweet. It takes days to make properly. Comparing a Taco Bell Crunchwrap to Mole Poblano is like comparing a microwave corn dog to a Wagyu steak.
How to celebrate without being "that person"
Look, nobody is saying you shouldn't have a drink and enjoy some tacos. But there's a way to do it that isn't cringey or culturally insensitive.
- Avoid the costumes. Sombreros and fake mustaches are caricatures. They turn a real culture into a costume. Just don't do it.
- Support local. Instead of going to a massive corporate chain, find a family-owned Mexican restaurant. Check out the spots in the immigrant neighborhoods of your city.
- Learn the history. Spend five minutes reading about Ignacio Zaragoza. Knowing that he was born in Goliad, Texas, makes the holiday feel much more "American" in a way that actually makes sense.
- Drink something else. Try a Michelada (beer with lime, salt, and spices) or a Paloma (tequila and grapefruit soda). They are way more common in Mexico than the frozen neon-blue margaritas found in US chains.
The Future of the Holiday
As the Latino population in the US grows, the holiday is shifting again. It's becoming less about the "beer holiday" and more about a general celebration of Mexican-American identity. In cities like Houston and Chicago, you're seeing more festivals that focus on folk dance (ballet folklórico), mariachi music, and actual history.
It’s an evolving tradition. It started as a victory against an empire, turned into a civil rights symbol, got hijacked by beer companies, and is now trying to find its soul again.
Actionable Ways to Engage
If you want to move beyond the surface level this year, try these specific steps:
- Visit a Museum: Many Mexican-American cultural centers hold specific exhibits during May that explain the Battle of Puebla and the Chicano movement.
- Cook an authentic dish: Skip the taco kit. Try making Chiles en Nogada or a simplified Mole. It’ll give you a much better appreciation for the depth of Mexican cuisine.
- Check the labels: If you're buying spirits, look for 100% Agave tequila. Anything else is a "mixto" filled with cane sugar and coloring—the primary cause of those legendary May 6th headaches.
- Watch a documentary: There are several great pieces on the French Intervention in Mexico that provide the gritty details of why Napoleon III was so obsessed with the region.
The next time you say feliz 5 de mayo, you'll actually know what you're talking about. You'll know it's about a small group of people who refused to give up against impossible odds. That's a story worth a toast, regardless of which side of the border you're on.