Technically, Cinco de mayo celebrates the Mexican victory of the French at the Battle of Puebla. This occurred 50 years AFTER the Mexicans declared their independence from Spain("El dieciseis de septiembre"). France urged England and Spain to join them in invading Mexico to force them to repay war and post-war debts. Upon arriving in Mexico, Spain and England worked out payment arrangments. France did not, because they apparently wanted Mexico more than they wanted their money back. As the French marched from the coast inwards toward Mexico City, they met resistance from the Mexicans at Puebla. A much smaller, untrained band of Mexicans had something the French lacked: passion for their country. The Mexicans defeated the larger, highly trained, uniformed, and well-equipped French army, providing a huge morale boost for Mexico. Unfortunately, France ultimately won the war.