Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico 's victory against the French during the Battle of Puebla . Many confuse the celebration with Mexican independence day which is September 16 . If you did n't already know , Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in the United States than in Mexico . Dancing and smoking is a popular way to mark Plaza de Mayo in the United States . The holiday is n't widely celebrated in Mexico ; a scholar claims it was created in California .
Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico 's victory against the French during the Battle of Puebla . Many confuse the celebration with Mexican independence day which is September 16 . Dancing and smoking is a popular way to mark Plaza de Mayo in the United States . The holiday is n't widely celebrated in Mexico ; a scholar claims it was created in California .