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Mexican Independence Day
Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, which actually happened much earlier. -
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Mexican-American War
The end of this war resulted in the French occupation of Mexico. -
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Reform War
Ever since Mexican Independence, Liberals and Conservatives have been fighting. This finally becomes a Civil War. At the end the Liberals win and Benito Juarez comes to power. -
End of Reform War
Benito Juarez comes to power. -
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US Civil War
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Moratorium on Debt Payments
The Mexican government is broke from fighting all of the wars. Benito Juarez says that no debts will be paid for 2 years. -
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Naval Threats
In response to Juarez's actions, Spain, England, and France send naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. While Spain and England are able to negotiate with Mexico, France decides to take advantage of the opportunity to expand imperially and invades Mexico. -
Battle of Puebla
Mexican forces led by Zaragoza, outnumbered 2-1, are able to crush what at the time was thought to be the best army in the world - the French. Mexico celebrates and unites with a new found sense of patriotism. -
California Celebrates, Mexico Falls
Chicanos working in mines in the California gold mines celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Cinco de Mayo by eating traditional foods and partying. Still today, Cinco de Mayo is much more celebrated by Mexican-Americans in the USA than it is in Mexico itself. All the while, the French send a much larger force to Mexico and take over the country. -
Benito Juarez Restored to Power
Finally, with the help of US forces now that the US Civil War is over, the French (Napoleon III and Maximillian I) are thrown out of Mexico. Benito Juarez enters Mexico City and forms a government.
