What is Cinco de Mayo? Holiday's meaning and origins tied to famous 1862 battle

So much more than just a day of drinking and partying, Cinco de Mayo is a day rich in history and culture for Mexico.

Celebrated annually on May 5, Cinco de Mayo recognizes Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire led by Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday has since become perhaps more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico and is often celebrated by people of Mexican American heritage.

The holiday's name, Cinco de Mayo, translates to the fifth of May. This year, it is on Sunday, May 5.

Cities around the U.S. celebrate every year with parades, festivals, music and more, from Los Angeles to Chicago and everywhere in between. Restaurants and brands have gotten in on the action as well, offering food and drink deals throughout the weekend.

Here's what to know about the origins of Cinco de Mayo, and why it's celebrated in the U.S. today.

What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? Origins tied to 1862 battle

Mexican Independence Day, or Día de la Independencia, came on Sept. 16, 1810, when the country broke free of Spanish rule.

Cinco de Mayo came more than 50 years later when French Emperor Napoleon III wanted to claim Mexico for himself.

The French sent troops to force Mexico's President Benito Juárez and the government out of Veracruz. On May 5, 1862, in a small town in east-central Mexico called Puebla, 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced 6,000 French troops at daybreak. Incredibly, Mexico claimed victory by the evening, and Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.

The battle also played a role in the American Civil War. With the French defeated and leaving North America, the Confederacy wasn't able to use them as an ally to win the war.

So, why are so many Americans still confused?

"Everyone thinks that it's just party time, it's Corona time," Mario García, a Chicanx historian from the University of California at Santa Barbara, previously told USA TODAY.

"It's OK for people to go out and have a good time on a holiday like Cinco de Mayo − at least they have some sense that it's some kind of a Mexican holiday," García said. "But we should go beyond that. We should have Cinco de Mayo events that go beyond partying and drinking, where we call attention to what the history is."

Part of the confusion among many Americans about what Cinco de Mayo celebrates is likely because it's much catchier-sounding and easier for English speakers to say than the day of Mexico's independence (Diez y seis de Septiembre), García said last year.

The holiday serves as a reminder of the importance of Chicanx history and its people's contributions to the U.S.

"When you study the history of Chicanos and Latinos, of course, they've been history makers," García said previously. "They've been involved in all aspects of American history, not to mention the wars ... In World War II alone, almost half a million Latinos – mostly Mexican Americans – fought in the war. And they won a disproportionate number of congressional Medals of Honor."

Why is Cinco de Mayo more popular in the U.S. than Mexico?

While there are Cinco De Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, notably in the city of Puebla, the event doesn't compare to the celebrations of Día de la Independencia, García said.  

Meanwhile in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has become an annual celebration of Mexican American culture.

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began as a form of resistance to the effects of the Mexican-American War in the late 19th century. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

"It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," García said. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."

By the 1980s, companies began commercializing the holiday, especially beer companies and restaurants offering Cinco de Mayo specials and cocktails. García jokingly refers to the day as "Corona Day." 

This Cinco de Mayo, García hopes everyone enjoys their Coronas, but perhaps with a little history lesson to wash it down.

Cinco de Mayo events around the U.S.

San Diego: San Diego's Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be held May 4 and 5 in Old Town San Diego. Activities include live music, folklorico, dining and drink specials.

Denver: The Mile High city has a whole host of holiday-related activities over the weekend of May 4 for Cinco de Mayo Denver, from a community parade to a taco eating contest. Events will be held May 4-5 at Denver Civic Center Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

St. Paul, Minnesota: St. Paul's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is in the city's West Side neighborhood and is one of Minnesota's largest Latino events. This year, festivities will be held May 4 starting at 10 a.m. and will include a parade, car and bike show and a dog show.

San Antonio, Texas: The city is sponsoring Cinco de Mayo celebrations through the holiday weekend in the Historic Market Square including live bands, Folklorico dance performances, Mariachi, food booths and more, running May 4-5.

Chicago: Chicago will celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with an annual parade that begins noon at the intersection of Cermak Road and Wood Street and heads west through Cermak Road to Marshall Boulevard. A festival at Douglas Park follows the parade, featuring live music, food, vendors and a carnival.

Los Angeles: Fiesta Broadway, one of the largest Latino and Cinco de Mayo festivals in the world runs down four blocks in Downtown Los Angeles. The annual festival happened this year on April 28, according to event organizers.

Cinco de Mayo deals

Of course, many restaurants will be offering discounts and promotions on May 5. Here are a few.

• Abuelo's: Visit May 5 for $5 specials all day on Mexican Grande Draft Beer, Mexican Flag Margarita, La Grandeza Margarita and Chile con Queso. In store only.
• Chevy's Fresh Mex: All day happy hour Friday, May 3-Saturday 4. Enjoy $4, $6, $8 and $10 specials in the cantina. On Sunday, May 5, enjoy a boozy brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with $12 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. From 3 p.m. to close, enjoy margarita, beer and shot specials and $4 tacos.
• Chipotle: From May 1-5, use code "CINCO24" at checkout for a $0 delivery fee. Higher menu prices and additional services fees apply.
• Chuy's: Order a regular House 'Rita for $6 or a Grande House 'Rite for $10 and keep the giveaway cup, while supplies last. Enjoy $1 tequila floaters all day and Chips 'N' Dips for $5 all day Sunday.
• El Torito: All day happy hour May 3-4. Enjoy $4, $6, $8 and $10 specials in the cantina. Sunday May 5, enjoy all-you-can-eat-brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with bottomless mimosas, $5 Bloody Marys, Micheladas and margaritas. From 2 p.m. to close, enjoy margaritas, beer, shot specials and $4 tacos.