Cinco de Mayo

Illinois House Minority Leader is sending happy Cinco de Mayo wishes to Illinoisans today!

The history around this holiday dates back to 1862: In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a day of remembrance, commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla.

The retreat of the French troops symbolized the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty against a powerful foreign nation.

Check out more of the history surrounding Cinco de Mayo here: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in 2025: Its history and meaning – NBC Chicago.