2. BONUS QUIZ:
What event is celebrated on May 5th?
Where did this event take place?
3. What group of people has turned Cinco de mayo into a celebration? 4. What does it symbolize to this group of people?

3. Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory over French forces on May 5, 1862,
What event is celebrated on May 5th?
Cinco de Mayo celebrates
the Battle of Puebla
a victory over French forces on May 5, 1862,
representing Mexican resolve and bravery and resistance against foreign occupation.

4. the humble Mexican Army defeated
At the time, the French Army of Napoleon III was considered the premier army in the world. The French expected to march from the port city of Veracruz to Mexico City without encountering much resistance. President Juárez sent troops, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragosa, to Puebla to confront the French.  The Mexican troops consisted almost entirely of indigenous soldiers. General Zaragosa's troops, outnumbered 4,700 to 5,200, and were severely under-equipped.  La Batalla de Puebla raged on for two hours, after which time the French were forced to retreat to Orizaba.  Despite tremendous odds,
the humble Mexican Army defeated
the most powerful fighting unit in the world!

5. One year after La Batalla de Puebla, the French brought in more troops and re-attacked.  This time they were able to make their way to Mexico City, take the capital, and install Emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg as the reigning monarch of México. 
Maximilian ruled México for about four years, until his execution in 1867 by troops loyal to President Juárez, who regained power.
Although La Batalla de Puebla on Cinco de Mayo was rendered militarily insignificant by the French's subsequent victory,
it did inject the Mexican people with pride and patriotism it had never before enjoyed. 

6. 2. Where did this event take place?
Puebla, Mexico
May 5, 1862

7. Los Angeles in the 1960s by the Mexican American community.
3. What group of people has turned Cinco de mayo into a celebration?
It is celebrated primarily in the United States. It’s grand celebration originated in
Los Angeles in the 1960s by the
Mexican American community.
There is a similar celebration in parts of Mexico*, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El día de la Batalla de Puebla.
4. What does it symbolize to this group of people?
*FYI: Most of Mexico does not celebrate it. 

8. 4. What does it symbolize to this group of people?
Today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.