Lectura: Cinco de mayo

Fact or fiction?

1. Cinco de mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day (it is actually Sept. 16). It is the celebration of the Battle of Puebla when Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza led a poorly armed group of mestizos and zapotecs to victory against the French (Napoleon III’s forces) in 1862.
2. Cinco de mayo is NOT a national Mexican holiday. It is mainly celebrated in Puebla, where the battle took place.

4. The victory didn’t last long. A year later, Napoleon III sent troops back and they took control of Mexico, including Mexico City. The French were in power from 1864-1867.

5. Maximilian (French) ruled Mexico during this time period, but then Napoleon III withdrew his support and the United States started to come to the aid of Mexico. Maximilian was eventually imprisoned and then killed.

Falso o Cierto

1. Cinco de mayo es el día de independencia de México.
2. Cinco de mayo es un día feriado (holiday) en México.
3. A year later the French took control of México.