Cinco de Mayo, a day often confused for Mexican Independence Day, is this Tuesday, May 5.
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 garments – like ponchos and sombreros. But what does the holiday really commemorate? And who actually celebrates it?
Here’s what Cinco de Mayo celebrates, why it’s celebrated more in the U.S. than it is in its country of origin and a list of Cinco de Mayo 2026 deals and discounts.
What is Cinco de Mayo and why is it celebrated?
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.
When is Cinco de Mayo 2026?
This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Tuesday. Cinco de Mayo 2026 will be tomorrow, May 5.
What is Mexico’s true Independence Day?
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 May 5, 1862, 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 Wednesday this year.
Why do Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
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 partying. It 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 in 2023.
As 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 offer Cinco de Mayo specials and cocktails.”
Cinco de Mayo 2026 food deals, discounts
Every Cinco de Mayo, many local Mexican restaurants and national chains run deals on tacos, margaritas and more.
Here’s a list of 2026 Cinco de Mayo deals, according to Food Network:
Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in the U.S. than in Mexico. Here’s why
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
