Growing up Mexican-American, I always thought Cinco de Mayo was supposed to be a huge deal — people dressing up, throwing parties and enjoying a variety of delicious food. But as I got older, I began to question the holiday itself.
In my family, there were no decorations, no big meals and rarely any mention of anything at all. I always wondered if we were missing out on something important. Over time, though, I realized that many people who celebrate Cinco de Mayo might not know the history behind it either.
That’s when I started to question what this holiday really means — and who it’s actually for.
According to USA Today, the holiday, “commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the Second French Empire, led by Napoleon III, at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, hence the name.”
While the victory was significant for Mexico, it wasn’t the decisive moment that ended the war. The French ultimately captured Mexico City and the conflict dragged on for another few years. Despite this, the victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance and pride.
However, the holiday is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, where it is primarily observed in the state of Puebla. In the U.S., it has largely been commercialized, with businesses using it to sell everything from tacos to tequila.
For many Mexican-Americans, this commercialization can feel disconnected from the cultural significance the holiday originally held. It’s turned into a day for marketing, with little regard for the deeper historical context.
This leaves me wondering — when people celebrate Cinco de Mayo with parties and drinks, how many of them actually understand what they’re celebrating? Does wearing a sombrero and drinking margaritas honor the history, or does it reduce a complex cultural history?
Mario Garcia, a Chicanx historian from the University of California Santa Barbara, spoke with USA Today and shared some of his thoughts on the matter.
“It’s OK for people to go out and have a good time on a holiday like Cinco de Mayo — at least they have some sense that it’s some kind of a Mexican holiday,” García stated. “But we should go beyond that. We should have Cinco de Mayo events that go beyond partying and drinking, where we call attention to what the history is.”
The holiday often feels more like a superficial spectacle than a meaningful celebration of heritage. I’ve come to realize that Cinco de Mayo, while it may hold significance for some, isn’t the only way to express pride in being Mexican-American.
Understanding the true history of Cinco de Mayo matters because it allows us to honor the past with respect, not just with decorations or drinks. It reminds us that behind the colorful imagery is a real story of resistance, identity and national pride.
For Mexican-Americans, knowing that story gives us the power to reclaim the holiday from commercialization and turn it into something more meaningful — whether we choose to celebrate it or not. Culture isn’t something that’s performed once a year; it lives in families, in memories and daily lives.
Cinco de Mayo may not be central to every Mexican-American household, but learning where it comes from helps us understand who we are — and pushes others to do the same with care, curiosity and respect.
