Cinco de Mayo: A Symbol of Mexican Courage and Patriotism in Mexico and the United States

Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – On May 5th, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is celebrated, marking the 1862 armed conflict in which the Mexican Army, despite being outnumbered, triumphed over the French forces. This date holds great significance, especially among the Mexican migrant community in the United States, as it marks 161 years since Mexico defeated one of the most esteemed armies of the era, which had not experienced defeat in nearly half a century.

General Ignacio Zaragoza proudly announced, “National arms have covered themselves with glory,” after the Mexican Army’s victory over the invading Second French Empire, commanded by Charles Ferdinand Latrille. On the morning of May 5, 4,000 Mexican troops engaged in a fierce battle against 8,000 French soldiers at the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. They successfully repelled the enemy’s assaults, forcing them to withdraw.

The Mexican military achievement stemmed from an economic crisis due to the War of Reform, which unfolded from 1857 to 1861 between liberals and conservatives. President Benito Juárez sought a grace period to settle debts with France, England, and Spain, which was refused by the three powers. Threatened with a military invasion by the London Convention, the Mexican government established diplomatic dialogue and, through the Treaties of La Soledad, managed to persuade Spain and England to abandon their plans by promising to pay the outstanding debts.

However, the French government disregarded the agreements and initiated an armed intervention in Mexico. In 1862, they launched a campaign from Córdoba, Veracruz, toward the center of the Republic. Despite the Mexican victory on May 5, 1862, the French army’s advance was not halted. Napoleon III responded by sending 35,000 additional soldiers, eventually capturing Mexico City and installing Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Carlota, as emperors.

Although the Battle of Puebla is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, it remains significant for the migrant community in the United States. Since 1967, Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza has been honored for his role in leading Mexico to victory. Celebrations of the general, who was born when Texas was still part of Mexico, have taken place in the state even before it became part of the United States. This connection helps explain why Cinco de Mayo is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico today.

Over 150 years later, cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and throughout Texas continue to commemorate the Battle of Puebla every May 5th. The event is popular for its impact on Mexican identity, symbolizing courage and patriotism.

Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - On May 5th, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla is celebrated, marking the 1862 armed conflict in which the Mexican . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • tropical-storm-flossie-hurricane-mexico-pacific-coastTropical Storm Flossie to Strengthen into Hurricane as It Tracks Along Mexico’s Pacific Coast Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane by July 2 as it moves parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing dangerous rainfall, wind, and surf. Tropical Storm Flossie is on the verge of forming from Tropical Depression Six-E and is forecast to strengthen rapidly into a hurricane as it parallels Mexico’s southwestern…
  • hurricane-flossie-strengthens-july-1-2025Hurricane Flossie will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco Hurricane Flossie intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 90 mph. Heavy rain, flooding, and tropical storm conditions expected in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify early Tuesday morning as it moved west-northwestward off the coast of southwestern Mexico, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across multiple states.…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-mexico-coast-rain-surf-alertCabo Corrientes under tropical storm watch as Flossie expected to Bring Heavy Rain and Dangerous Surf to Southwestern Mexico Tropical Storm Flossie is forecast to strengthen and may impact Mexico's southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes with heavy rain, flooding, and hazardous surf early this week. Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to deliver heavy rains, gusty winds, and dangerous surf conditions to Mexico’s southwestern coast in the coming days, prompting authorities to issue…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-strengthens-mexico-june-2025Tropical Storm Flossie Strengthens Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Could Become Hurricane by Tuesday Tropical Storm Flossie gains strength off southwestern Mexico, with hurricane status possible by Tuesday. Storm warnings issued from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula. Tropical Storm Flossie continues to gain strength off Mexico’s Pacific coastline, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across several southwestern states. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Flossie is expected…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • cancun-beach-cleanup-sargassumMassive Beach Cleanup to Combat Sargassum in Cancun After a week of the Cancun’s tourism department denying sargassum existed and insisting media photos were fakes, over 600 public servants and volunteers joined the first simultaneous beach cleanup. In a bold step toward environmental preservation and tourism sustainability, Cancun's Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta led the city’s first simultaneous beach cleanup effort this week.…
  • cancun-2025-sargassum-beaches-and-activitiesSargassum won’t ruin your Cancun vacation, there are plenty of clean beaches and tourist activities As the 2025 sargassum season continues through September, visitors to Cancun can still enjoy clear beaches like Playa Delfines and Playa Caracol. As the 2025 sargassum season intensifies across Quintana Roo, tourists are finding it more difficult to enjoy the region’s iconic white-sand beaches without encountering the unsightly brown seaweed. While the influx of sargassum…
  • oregon-murder-fugitive-extradited-puerto-vallartaFugitive Wanted for 2008 Oregon Homicide Captured in Puerto Vallarta and Extradited to U.S. Jesús Rodríguez Borrayo, a fugitive for 17 years, was extradited from Mexico to Oregon for his role in a 2008 drive-by shooting that left one dead. He was located in Puerto Vallarta. A man wanted for murder and other violent crimes in the United States for nearly two decades has been extradited after being found…
  • tropical-wave-7-floods-bacalar-chetumal-emergency-responseTropical Wave Floods Bacalar and Chetumal as Navy and Army Activate Emergency Plans Torrential rains from Tropical Wave 7 flood Bacalar and Chetumal, prompting emergency response from the Navy and Army. Several towns remain isolated in southern Quintana Roo. Torrential rains caused by Tropical Wave Number 7 have flooded multiple communities in southern Quintana Roo, prompting a joint emergency response from Mexico’s Navy and Army. Authorities activated their…
Scroll to Top