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History of Cinco De Mayo

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Significance of the 5th of May:

  • Celebrates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862.

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  • Celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico.

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  • Celebrated in U.S. cities with a large Mexican population.

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  • It is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16.

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Setting the Stage:

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  • Independence from Spain: 1821
  • Mexican-American War: 1846-1848
  • Mexican Civil War of 1858
  • Large debts to Spain, England, and France
  • Stopped making loan payments to France
  • Archduke Maximilian of Austria

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Battle of Puebla

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The Invasion:

  • France invaded at the gulf coast of Mexico along the state of Veracruz
  • Battle of Puebla: 1862
  • France takes over Mexico City and installs Maximilian as the ruler of Mexico
  • America helps out!

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Celebrations:

  • Celebrations in Mexico
  • Celebrations in America
  • Parades
  • Music
  • Spanish
  • How do you celebrate?