On the morning of May 5, 1862, a battle began in Puebla (central Mexico) between Mexico's army of the East and French armed forces. In the last four months, the French army had advanced from the coasts of Veracruz with the intention of invading Mexico, after it failed to pay $80 million in debt. The battle of Puebla lasted all day and for the first time since the French arrived in Mexico, the Mexican army was victorious.INAHThe battle of Puebla is the prelude to the invasion of Mexico City. The battle was important due to the proximity of Puebla to the country's capital (93 miles). The Mexican army was stationed at the forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, a military construction nestled on a hill north of the city. From there, they could observe the advance of the French troops — some 6,000 soldiers. Mexico's numbers, in contrast, were under 5,000, and also included civilians of military rank. Carlos Pacheco (Notimex)The leader of Mexico's forces was General Ignacio Zaragoza. He worked with Porfirio Díaz — Mexico's future president — to design the strategy of attack against the French. Zaragoza and Diaz were prominent military men with brilliant careers in the armed forces. The French army was under the command of Ferdinand Letrille, Count of Lorencez, who had informed Napoleon III that he would soon take Mexico City because his army was "superior in race, organization, discipline, morality and the elevation of sentiments."INAHAlthough the battle on May 5 was won by the Mexican armed forces, the French army returned a year later and defeated them, taking control of Mexico City on June 10, 1863. The French occupied the capital until 1866 and helped organize the Second Mexican Empire, led by Maximilian I of Mexico, who was a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. The empire was established in Mexico in 1864 as a result of internal disputes between Mexican liberals and conservatives.Carlos Pacheco (NOTIMEX)Every May 5, the Battle of Puebla is commemorated with a military and civilian parade in the city of Puebla. The Mexican president takes part and observes the parade of the armed forces. The Mexican army also performs a reenactment of the battle at the military field in Puebla. The celebration has spread to the United States, where groups from Puebla take advantage of the occasion to hold parades and concerts. These events — held in celebration of Mexican culture — typically feature Mexican food and mariachis.Carlos Pacheco (NOTIMEX)
