"We are so superior to the Mexicans in race, in organization, in discipline, in morality, and in refinement of sensibilities, that as of this moment, at the head of our 6,000 valiant soldiers, I am the master of Mexico." The French General Lorencz

Those are fighting words.

And the people of Mexico did fight in 1862. 

At different times in history, the city of Puebla has belonged to the French and Spanish. In 1862, General Lorenz approached Puebla expecting them to offer the city to his troops.  Imagine his surprise when a troop of rag tag soldiers bearing arms and garden tools fought off his soldiers.

This small victory not only spurred the Nation of Mexico towards Independence, it also stopped the French troops who would most likely have worked their way through Mexico to ally themselves with the US confederacy potentially changing the outcome of two nation's sovereignty.

Today, people throughout Mexico and America celebrate Cinco de Mayo with food and fiestas in remembrance of a brave group of citizens who changed the course of history.

Links:

A National Holiday

The Official Cinco de Mayo Page

Cinco de Mayo -- A Brief History