Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).
Although it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.