Seven Things About Cinco de Mayo-- Part 4: Actually a Bigger Thing in the U.S. Than Mexico

7.  Cinco de Mayo  is more widely celebrated in the United States  than in Mexico.

Benito Juarez declared Cinco de Mayo a holiday immediately after the Battle of Puebla, but for may Mexicans it has always taken backseat to such events as   the September 16 Independence Day, which commemorates the start of hostilities against Spanish rule in 1810.

In the United States, on the other hand, Cinco de Mayo gained traction during the 1960s, when Chicano activists began looking for a way to honor their history, culture and heritage.

It really picked up as more and more Mexicans moved to the United States.

Today, the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebrations are held in U.S. cities with large Hispanic populations, such as Los Angeles, which every year attracts hundreds of thousands of people to its Fiesta Broadway Festival.

Of course, this also becomes a big drinking and partying day at many bars across the country with all sorts of drink specials and Mexican food.

Margaritas Anyone?  --Cooter

Seven Things About Cinco de Mayo-- Part 3: Maximilian's Out. Juarez and Dias Battle for Control

5.  Continued.

With money running low in his coffers, Napoleon III decided in 1866 to end France's occupation of Mexico.  

Maximilian  unwisely stayed and briefly fought before surrendering his troops after they were routed at  Queretaro.  On June19, 1867, he and his generals were executed by firing squad.

6.  Porfirio Diaz began making a name for himself at Puebla.

Porfirio Diaz, Mexico's longest-serving president,  was a relatively unknown cavalry commander until the Battle of  Puebla, where he outflanked the French on their third charge and sent them into disorderly retreat.

Over then next several years, he won battles at Oaxaca and elsewhere.  Following the war, however, Diaz became  so disillusioned with his one-time friend Juarez that he unsuccessfully ran for president against him.

He later launched a couple coup attempts, finally seizing power in 1876.  Except for one four-year  break, his reign lasted until 1911, when he was finally deposed by the Mexican Revolution.

--Cooter