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'''Cinco de Mayo''' (5th of May) is a holiday held to celebrate the victory of the Mexican Army of 4,000 soldiers over the French army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862. Is not Mexico's official Independence Day, which is September 16, but is recognized as a day of celebration.  

'''Cinco de Mayo''' (5th of May) is a holiday held to celebrate the victory of the Mexican Army of 4,000 soldiers over the French army of 8,000 at [[Puebla]], [[Mexico]], on May 5, 1862. Is not Mexico's official Independence Day, which is September 16, but is recognized as a day of celebration.  

== History ==

== History ==

Mexico sought help from the United States, but the country was at  

Mexico sought help from the United States, but the country was at  

the time engaged in its own Civil War, and President [[Abraham Lincoln]] was not able to spare military forces to assist Mexico. The French army landed at the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and began to move toward [[Mexico City]]. The French army was met with strong resistance from the men of the smaller and less equipped Mexican army, who were concentrated in the forts of Loreto and [[Guadalupe]], near Puebla. General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin led the  

the time engaged in its own Civil War, and President [[Abraham Lincoln]] was not able to spare military forces to assist Mexico. The French army landed at the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and began to move toward [[Mexico City]]. The French army was met with strong resistance from the men of the smaller and less equipped Mexican army, who were concentrated in the forts of Loreto and [[Guadalupe]], near Puebla. General [[Ignacio Zaragoza]] Seguin led the  

Mexican army to victory and stopped the French invasion of the country.  

Mexican army to victory and stopped the French invasion of the country.  

== Celebrations ==

== Celebrations ==

Cinco de Mayo is recognized for the Mexican army's valient fight and  

Cinco de Mayo is recognized for the Mesuccessfulxican army's valiant fight and  

victory over the larger French Army forces at Puebla in 1862. The day is celebrated in many parts of Mexico, especially in Puebla, with all-day celebrations, military parades, small scale re-enactments of the battle, and religious ceremonies in remembrance. Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in the western United States that have a large population of people of Hispanic/Mexican origin, including [[Texas]], [[California]], and [[New Mexico]]. In the United States the holiday has an  emphasis on celebrating Mexican culture and heritage, and local festivals are held that feature traditional dance, music, costumes, and food of the Mexican people.  

victory over the larger French Army forces at Puebla in 1862. The day is celebrated in many parts of Mexico, especially in Puebla, with all-day celebrations, military parades, small scale re-enactments of the battle, and religious ceremonies in remembrance. Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in the western United States that have a large population of people of Hispanic/Mexican origin, including [[Texas]], [[California]], and [[New Mexico]]. In the United States the holiday has an  emphasis on celebrating Mexican culture and heritage, and local festivals are held that feature traditional dance, music, costumes, and food of the Mexican people.  

vary with sources.

vary with sources.

2. The Mexican army included military and civilians, including untrained Mestizo and Zapotec Indians and totalled approximately 4000 - 5000, estimates vary with sources.

2. The Mexican army included military and civilians, including untrained Mestizo and Zapotec Indians and totaled approximately 4000 - 5000, estimates vary with sources.