Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the triumph of the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, and not Mexico’s Independence Day (that’s September 16), is often celebrated in the United States as an excuse to day-drink margaritas and gorge on a steady stream of guac-topped tacos.
The holiday commemorates an unexpected victory of the Mexican army over French forces. As Time reports, in the early 1860s, Mexico had racked up a huge amount of debt to France, and President Benito Juárez had no choice but to default on payments. This led Napoleon III to send troops to Mexico City by way of the town of Puebla. The troops never made it to Mexico City, because the Mexican army managed to hold the better-equipped French troops off in the Battle of Puebla on the fifth of May of 1862.
Since debt features prominently in the story of Cinco de Mayo, it’s perhaps not surprising that throngs of restaurants and retailers mark the day with deals and free offers. Here are some of the deals to be had this year on Cinco de Mayo:
Finally, while this last one won’t keep you out of debt, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has a $100 Prime Margarita all month long. The classy cocktail features premium alcohol and is served in a diamond-cut Baccarat Crystal Tumbler that you can take home as a souvenir.
(16)