Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating General Ignacio Zaragoza‘s win over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the French-Mexican War. This win was very important because it showed the Mexican government can defend itself against a powerful foreign nation. This event in Mexico’s history is comparable to the Battle of Gettysburg.

Many believe Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but this is not true — Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 6.

“I like to educate other about the misconception about Cinco de Mayo — that’s why I like teaching this subject in my classes,” Spanish teacher Oscar Najera said.

Not only is the reasoning for celebrated perceived wrong but so is where the  holiday is celebrated. The holiday of Cinco Da Mayo is also most commonly celebrated in America than Mexico.

“I don’t know much about Mexican culture, but I was surprised when I found out that Cinco de Mayo was most commonly celebrated in America,” junior Kailee Mogensen said. “I always thought it was a major holiday in Mexico.”