Cinco de Mayo (Spanish (Spanish language) for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican armys unlikely victory over French (France) forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Segu�n (Ignacio Zaragoza). It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance and celebration nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed nationwide in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexicos Independence Day (Grito de Dolores), the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.