A celebration of Mexican culture with festivities that typically include Mariachi music, margaritas, Mexican beer, parades, decorations and plenty of culinary delights-one can expect neighborhood Mexican restaurants to be packed on this day. While many people associate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence day, Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates a victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This victory became a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.