The holiday of Cinco de Mayo—which means “Fifth of May” in Spanish—is a celebration of Mexican unity and patriotism. On May 5, 1862, an outnumbered Mexican army unit defeated a much larger French force at the Battle of Puebla, temporarily halting the French invasion of Mexico. Today this historic battle is commemorated with parades, music, and dancing, not only in Mexico, but wherever the spirit and pride of Mexico are strong!

Explore The Story of Cinco de Mayo presentation to learn about the background, people, and outcome of this event. The accompanying Student Activities will help you to enrich your appreciation and understanding of Cinco de Mayo.