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The French attempted to occupy Mexico and make it part of its empire under Napoleon III, probably in an attempt to offset the growing power of the United States. On the morning of May 5, 1862, under General Ignacio Zaragoza, five thousand ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the Batalla de Puebla, which later was called Cinco de Mayo. The holiday tends to be celebrated more among Chicanos than in Mexico.

Recognizing the Festival/Holiday: This holiday is a time for fun and dance. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing, and other types of festive activities.