28-04-2025
Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in the U.S. than in Mexico. Here's why, holiday's history
Cinco de Mayo, a day often confused for Mexico's Independence Day, is next week.
To many Americans, the fifth of May is a day for discounted tacos and margaritas and is often punctuated with cheesy, Americanized versions of traditional Mexican accessories – like ponchos and sombreros. But what does the holiday really commemorate? And who actually celebrates it?
Here's a quick breakdown of the history of Cinco de Mayo, when it falls in 2025 and why it's celebrated more in the U.S. than it is in its country of origin.
In Spanish, 'Cinco de Mayo' means 'Fifth of May.' The day is an anniversary of a battle in Puebla, Mexico, not Mexico's Independence Day.
The day celebrates and commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, more than 50 years after Mexico was liberated from Spanish rule. This didn't mark the end of French forces in Mexico, though, as the French would later set out to recapture Puebla and successfully capture Mexico City in 1863.
Cinco de Mayo is important to Mexicans, specifically those in Puebla, but it isn't Mexico's Independence Day, which falls in September.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is more celebrated in the U.S. than it is in Mexico and is a day for Americans and Mexican-Americans to honor Mexican culture and heritage as a whole.
What is Cinco de Mayo? What to know about the holiday in New York
This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday. Cinco de Mayo 2025 will be next Monday, May 5.
As mentioned above, Cinco de Mayo commemorates a specific battle in Mexico's fight for independence, but it doesn't mark the day the country became independent from colonization. By the time May 5, 1862 came, Mexico had already been liberated from Spain.
'Early on the morning of September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla summoned the largely Indian and mestizo congregation of his small Dolores parish church and urged them to take up arms and fight for Mexico's independence from Spain,' according to The Library of Congress.
'His El Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, which was spoken — not written — is commemorated on September 16 as Mexican Independence Day.'
Many countries in Central America celebrate their independence days in September, which is also the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mexico celebrates its liberation from Spanish rule and Independence Day on Sept. 16, which is a Tuesday this year.
Many in the U.S. see Cinco de Mayo as a day to drink tequila, party and maybe eat some tacos. But the American celebration of the day has much deeper roots than a day to party, and started as a day of resistance.
'The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s,' USA TODAY reported on Cinco de Mayo 2023.
Like with many other minor holidays in the U.S. (Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, etc.), it only took a decade or so to morph into a highly commercialized opportunity for big companies to rake in some extra cash.
'By the 1980s, companies began commercializing the holiday, especially by beer companies and restaurants that will offer Cinco de Mayo specials and cocktails.'
Taco Bell has yet to announce how they're celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year, but last year the chain ran a deal for loyalty rewards members to get five tacos for $5 on the holiday.
Tex-Mex chain Chuy's is celebrating big this year, with deals on food and drinks all day on Monday, May 5.
Here's what Chuy's is offering customers on Monday, May 5: 'On 5/5 we're offering deals on our house rocks and frozen 'ritas (Lime, Strawberry, Swirl or Dot only). Order a Regular House 'Rita for $6 or start big with a Grande House 'Rita for $10 and keep the giveaway cup, while supplies last! You can also level up our world famous 'ritas with $1 floaters all day long — that's an extra pour of tequila, Cointreau or Grand Marnier. On top of that we're doing $5 Chips 'N' Dips all day on Monday 5/5! Choose from Queso, Queso Compuesto, Lil' Chuy Gooey or the Boom-Boom Pow.'
Tijuana Flats, another Tex-Mex restaurant chain, has also not yet announced its plans for Cinco de Mayo 2025, but offered a ton of deals last year. For Cinco de Mayo 2024, the restaurant chain had a $5 menu that included the Tijuana Trio, chips and queso or guac, two-for-$5 beers, two-for-$5 Mexican Cokes and Jarritos, two-for-$5 street tacos with chips and more.
Moe's Southwest Grill is celebrating this year by giving away a free side of queso with the purchase of an entree, along with the opportunity to win a free T-shirt.
Chili's Cinco de Mayo deal this year is for tequila lovers. On Monday, May 5 only, participating locations will be offering margarita specials and a $5 Tequila Trifecta, with El Jimador Silver, 1800 Reposado and Jose Cuervo Gold with Triple Sec and house-made sour.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cinco de Mayo 2025: Why it's more celebrated in the U.S.
