Cinco de Mayo or Battle of Puebla Day is a date (May 5, 1862) that commemorates and celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. While Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, it has become a commemoration of Mexican culture, heritage, and pride. A major misconception is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day. Learn more about Cinco de Mayo.
Mexican immigrants arrived in Iowa starting in the 1880s to work in the state’s railroad yards and agricultural fields, and later in foundries and factories. The United States Census estimates that there are 153,858 individuals of Mexican descent in Iowa with 53.9% being 24 years and younger.
