What is Cinco de Mayo and do Floridians celebrate? 5 things to know
What is Cinco de Mayo and do Floridians celebrate? 5 things to know
Brandi D. Addison, USA TODAY NETWORKTue, May 5, 2026 at 11:54 AM UTC
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Cinco de Mayo — Spanish for “fifth of May” — is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day or compared to the Fourth of July in the United States. That’s not accurate.
The holiday commemorates a 19th-century military victory that occurred decades after Mexico gained independence from Spain, and it is not one of the country’s official nationwide holidays requiring a day off work.
Here are five things to know about the holiday.
What Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates
Cinco de Mayo commemorates a specific moment in Mexican military history — the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
At the time, Mexico was facing an invasion by French forces under Emperor Napoleon III, who sought to expand French influence in the Americas, according to the Texas State Historical Association. A well-equipped French army advanced toward central Mexico, expecting a quick victory.
Instead, they were met by a much smaller and less-equipped Mexican force led by General Ignacio Zaragoza at the city of Puebla. Despite the odds, the Mexican army managed to hold its ground and ultimately defeat the French troops in what became known as the Battle of Puebla.
The victory did not end the French intervention in Mexico, but it became a powerful symbol of resistance — showing that a smaller, less-equipped army could defeat a major European power. That symbolic win is what Cinco de Mayo honors today, rather than Mexico’s independence itself.
Who celebrates Cinco de Mayo?
Although there are some Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, particularly in the city of Puebla, the event is small compared to Día de la Independencia, which is celebrated annually in September after the country claimed its independence from Spain in 1810.
In Mexico, observances are relatively limited, with the largest events taking place in Puebla, where the battle occurred. The holiday is far less prominent than Día de la Independencia, held each year on Sept. 16 to mark Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1810.
In the United States, however, Cinco de Mayo has grown into a broader celebration of Mexican American culture. Its rise is tied to the Chicano Movement, when communities began using the day to highlight identity, history and cultural pride.
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What is Cinco de Mayo? Holiday's meaning and origins tied to famous 1862 battle
Does Florida celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Florida primarily as a modern cultural observance rather than a historically rooted tradition. The holiday is widely marked in communities with large Hispanic and Latino populations, particularly in cities like Miami, Orlando and Tampa, where festivals, concerts and restaurant events often center on Mexican culture, food and music.
Unlike Texas, where celebrations are tied to long-standing Tejano history and post–Texas Revolution cultural identity, Florida’s observances are more recent and largely driven by population growth, tourism and broader recognition of Mexican American culture in the United States.
In South Florida, celebrations are often incorporated into larger multicultural events, reflecting the region’s diverse Latino communities rather than a singular historical tradition tied to Mexican heritage in the state.
Cinco de Mayo in Florida continues to grow in visibility, but it is generally considered a community and commercial celebration rather than a historically anchored state tradition.
Cinco De Mayo: How did the holiday become more popular in the United States than Mexico?
How to celebrate Cinco de Mayo respectfully
If you’re taking part in Cinco de Mayo, focus on events that respectfully highlight Mexican culture — including food, music and history. Avoid stereotypes or phrases that reduce the holiday, such as "Cinco de Drinko," which can overshadow its historical significance.
When is Mexico’s Independence Day?
Mexico’s Independence Day — Diez y Seis de Septiembre — is celebrated on Sept. 16. It marks one of the most important moments in Mexican history: the start of the country’s war for independence from Spain in 1810.
The movement is tied to the Grito de Dolores, when Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla delivered a call for rebellion in the early hours of Sept. 16 in the town of Dolores, near present-day Guanajuato. In his speech, Hidalgo urged people to rise up against Spanish colonial rule, launching a long and complex war for independence.
Unlike Cinco de Mayo, which recognizes a single battlefield victory, Mexico’s Independence Day reflects the beginning of a nationwide revolutionary movement that ultimately led to independence from Spain in 1821.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cinco de Mayo origin may not be what you think. Does Florida celebrate?
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
