Every May 5, on the Cinco de Mayo holiday, Mexicans celebrate the 1862 victory of the outnumbered and underarmed Mexican armies over the superior military forces from which country?

The celebrated victory on Cinco de Mayo was a triumph over the invading forces of the Second French Empire. In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez suspended payments on foreign debts, prompting an intervention from several European powers. While Britain and Spain negotiated and withdrew their forces, France, under the ambitious leadership of Napoleon III, saw an opportunity to expand its empire and install a monarchy in Mexico that would be sympathetic to French interests.

On May 5, 1862, a well-equipped French army of over 6,000 soldiers attacked the city of Puebla. They were met by a much smaller and poorly armed Mexican force, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Against seemingly impossible odds, the Mexican defenders repelled the French assault, securing a decisive and inspiring victory. This unexpected triumph became a powerful symbol of Mexican resistance and national pride, demonstrating that the formidable French army was not invincible (Review).

It is a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually celebrated on September 16. The victory at Puebla, while a tremendous morale boost, did not end the war. The French would regroup and eventually occupy Mexico City the following year. However, the Battle of Puebla remains an important historical event, celebrated today primarily in the state of Puebla and, even more widely, in the United States as a celebration of Mexican-American heritage.