But Mexican Independence Day is acknowledged as September 16, 1821... Cinco de Mayo marks the date of the Mexican army's May 5, 1862, victory over France.
On May 5, 1862, president of Mexico Benito Juárez assembled a group of 2,000 men and sent them to Puebla to face off against 6,000 French troops.
Juárez's men forced the French to retreat at the Battle of Puebla, a victory that fueled the resistance movement.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations gained popularity in the U.S. on college campuses in response to the Chicano Movement's push for Mexican American civil rights.
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