LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, communities across the United States and in the Mexican state of Puebla will mark Cinco de Mayo, a day that commemorates the Mexican army's improbable 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla — a symbol of resilience that has evolved into a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.

Cinco de Mayo, which translates simply to "the fifth of May," is not Mexico's Independence Day. That holiday falls on Sept. 16, commemorating the 1810 call for independence from Spain. Instead, Cinco de Mayo specifically honors the events of May 5, 1862, when a outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexican force defeated a larger, better-armed French army during the Franco-Mexican War.

The battle occurred amid Mexico's financial crisis. President Benito Juárez had suspended debt payments to foreign nations, prompting Britain, Spain and France to send troops. While the first two withdrew, France — under Napoleon III — sought to establish a monarchy in Mexico and expand its influence in the Americas. French forces marched toward Mexico City but encountered fierce resistance at Puebla, about 80 miles southeast of the capital.

Led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, roughly 2,000 to 4,000 Mexican troops, including mestizo and Zapotec soldiers, faced around 6,000 French soldiers. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the........

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