The Truth Behind Cinco de Mayo: The Battle of Puebla
Every year on May 5, many people notice colorful decorations, music, and special foods celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Because of these lively festivities, a very common mistake is assuming that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. In reality, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16, marking the moment in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo called on the people to rise up against Spanish rule. Cinco de Mayo remembers a completely different event that took place more than fifty years later: the Battle of Puebla.
To understand why this battle happened, it helps to look at Mexico's situation in the early 1860s. Mexico had just gone through years of internal conflict, which left the nation's treasury empty. In 1861, President Benito Juárez announced that Mexico had to temporarily pause paying back debts owed to several European nations, including France, Britain, and Spain. While Britain and Spain negotiated agreements and withdrew their forces, the ruler of France, Emperor Napoleon III, had different plans. He saw an opportunity to expand his empire by invading Mexico and establishing a French-backed monarchy.
- treasury:
- The funds or money collected and managed by a government or organization.
- negotiated:
- Discussed terms with others in order to reach an agreement.
- monarchy:
- A form of government ruled by a king, queen, or emperor.
- fortified:
- Strengthened with defensive walls or military structures to protect against attacks.
- assault:
- A sudden, violent attack made by an armed force.
- intervention:
- The act of becoming involved in the affairs of another country, often using force.
- reenactments:
- Performances that recreate historical events to show how they happened.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What common misunderstanding about Cinco de Mayo does the text explain in the opening paragraph?
- 2Why did Mexican President Benito Juárez temporarily stop paying debts to European nations in 1861?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Truth Behind Cinco de Mayo: The Battle of Puebla” is a explanatory article reading passage about Battle of Puebla, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (561 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.