Outside of Mexico, a minor commemorative day is frequently mistaken for the nation’s most important patriotic observance. This confusion often leads people to believe that a specific battle victory is the country’s equivalent of a national founding day. Understanding the distinct historical events and their significance is necessary to appreciate the true weight of Mexico’s national celebration. The perception of these holidays shifts depending on the country in which they are observed, creating an inaccurate view of the national calendar.
Mexican Independence Day
The holiday frequently confused with Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, or Diez y Seis de Septiembre, celebrated annually on September 16th. This date is considered the most significant national observance in Mexico, marking the beginning of the war for sovereignty from Spanish colonial rule. The historical moment commemorated is the Grito de Dolores, or “Cry of Dolores,” a call to arms issued by the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810. Hidalgo’s speech galvanized indigenous and peasant populations to revolt against the Spanish government, igniting a conflict that lasted over a decade.
The September 16th observance represents the birth of the Mexican nation and its political identity. Celebrations begin the night before, when the President of Mexico rings the original bell Hidalgo used and re-enacts the Grito from the balcony of the National Palace. This tradition is mirrored by governors and mayors across the country, underscoring the holiday’s national importance. The following day features a massive military parade in Mexico City, solidifying the date as the true marker of Mexican nationhood and freedom.
The Meaning of Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, observed on May 5th, is not a celebration of independence but commemorates a singular military victory. The holiday marks the Mexican Army’s defeat of the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. A smaller, poorly equipped Mexican force led by General Ignacio Zaragoza overcame a much larger and better-supplied French army. The unexpected victory served as a significant symbolic boost to Mexican morale and a display of resilience against foreign intervention.
Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday throughout Mexico. The day is primarily observed with parades, re-enactments, and ceremonies in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place. For the rest of the country, May 5th is generally a day when businesses and schools remain open, indicating its lesser standing in the national calendar. This commemorative date is entirely separate from the 1810 start of the War of Independence against Spain.
Why the Confusion Exists
The primary source of the confusion lies in the vastly different ways the two holidays are celebrated and promoted in the United States compared to Mexico. In Mexico, September 16th is the national patriotic focus, whereas Cinco de Mayo is a regional observance. Conversely, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a widespread, visible celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. This tradition began in California shortly after the Battle of Puebla, as Mexican communities celebrated the victory as a sign of solidarity against European influence.
The scale of commercialization in the United States further amplified the May 5th date, with marketing campaigns promoting it as a general occasion for parties and Mexican-themed food and drink. This heavy promotion in American media and commerce has inadvertently overshadowed the significance of the September 16th date outside of Mexico. Consequently, many people in the US assume that the more prominently celebrated Cinco de Mayo must be Mexico’s equivalent to the US Fourth of July. The result is that the 1862 victory against the French is mistakenly believed to be the nation’s 1810 declaration of independence from Spain.