Cinco de Mayo
1 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thSocial Studies
Summary
If you thought Cinco de Mayo was about Mexican Independence, you're in for a surprise! On May 5, 1862, the Mexican Army actually won a surprise victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Find out more about how people celebrate and honor this historic day.
Viewer safety
All ages
Describes a historic battle; there is no graphic content.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Short explainer (1 min) from PBS LearningMedia's *All About the Holidays*.
- What happened at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862?
- Why do many people think Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day?
- Why is the day celebrated more widely in the United States than in much of Mexico?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: Puebla, battle, independence, commemorate.
Try it: Write one sentence correcting the common mix-up about what Cinco de Mayo celebrates.