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Answer: False. It's a day to remember a big military battle, but it's not like our 4th of July.
May 5—cinco de mayo—is an occasion which Mexicans and Americans share to emphasize the friendship between their two countries.
The holiday originated with a surprising battle. In 1861, France, England and Spain sent ships to Mexico to settle a debt. Within a few months, they reached an agreement and the British and Spanish navies prepared to return home. But the French ships, by order of Napoleon III, began an attack.
On May 5, 1862, 6000 French soldiers tried to capture the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe in Puebla de Los Angeles, Mexico. Two thousand Mexican soldiers fought back and held the fort. The outnumbered Mexican army won this battle but they did not win the war. The French conquered the country, and in 1864, a European emperor was put on the Mexican throne. Three years later, after a reign filled with problems, the emperor was deposed and killed.
Even during the short period of French rule, the Mexicans celebrated Cinco de Mayo. They changed the name of the town where the French were defeated to Puebla de Zaragoza.
Today Americans participate in activities organized for "Cinco de Mayo." Mexican orchestras and local bands may play Mexican patriotic songs and there is always plenty of traditional Mexican food to enjoy.
The decorations are red, white and green—the colors of the Mexican flag. Young boys are proud to be seen in Mexican clothing and girls wear red and green ruffled dresses with wide skirts. It's a time to celebrate a proud heritage as well as a spirit of cooperation between two neighboring nations.
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True or false: Cinco de mayo is Mexico's Independence Day.
