Cinco de Mayo: The True Meaning and Why Celebrations Differ in Mexico and the U.S.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over French invaders in 1862 but is celebrated more widely in the U.S. than in Mexico.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is an official holiday mainly celebrated through military parades and reenactments of the battle.
The holiday gained popularity in the U.S. during the Chicano Movement to celebrate Mexican-American heritage and has become commercialized.
Cinco de Mayo festivities in the U.S. often involve stereotypes, while celebrations in Mexico honor Mexican history and culture.
The holiday is commonly confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16.