Photograph of Maximilian Emperor of Mexico. Legacy has changed throughout the years as he recognized for helping Mexico’s impoverish.
Image by Andrew Burgess.
To say that Mexico does not celebrate Cinco de Mayo is slightly untrue. Mexicans are always up for a party, but Cinco de Mayo has a deep-rooted history that is less than celebratory. Cinco de Mayo (translation is May 5) marks the date of the Battle of Puebla.
During the American civil war, France had invaded Mexico to expand its empire and retrieve silver and other precious resources. French military invaded the capital with the support of a Mexican conservative party in favor of a monarchy, and Emperor Napoleon III of France named Austrian Archduke Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico.
May 5, 1862, commemorates the battle where the French military arrived at the city of Puebla and was overpowered by Mexico’s army, which was half in size and ammunition—8,000 men compared to 4,000. It was the first time France’s military had lost a battle in 50 years, but it did not cause them to leave, and the wars continued.
For five years (1861-1867), Mexican troops (led by President Benito Juarez) fought against the French to reclaim their nation until Emperor Maximilian was captured and executed by a firing squad.
President Juarez proclaimed Cinco De Mayo as a national holiday to memorializes the adversity and tenacity of Mexico’s republic. Cinco de Mayo is one of several wars the country has suffered; therefore, it is not the most celebrated holiday.
Empress Carlotta, wife of Maximilian. Emperor of Mexico. She left Mexico before her husband was executed to seek support from the Pope and other European leaders. She died in 1927 at the age of 87. 
Town Hall in the City of Puebla where France lost its first battle in 50 years. 
Maximilian and Carlotta’s carriage. Photo taken around 1862. Image by unknown. 
Carriage of the Emperor and Empress is located at the Chapultepec Castle where they resided during their reign. Photo taken by me. 
Shirt that the Emperor of Mexico worn during his execution. He died at 34 years old on died June 19, 1867. Image by Francois Aubert. 
Chapultepec Castle has a few rooms have been conserved to how Maximilian and Carlota items they owned and portraits of themselves. Photo taken by me. 
Chapultepec Castle located on a mountain top at the park of Chapultepec. Emperor and the empress selected this castle which once was a military school to claim it as their home. Afterwards, it became the presidential residence and now it is a museum. Photo taken by me.
Maximilian I of Mexico image of his corpse. He was embalmed and given glass eyes before being shipped to Austria. He is located in the imperial crypt and can be viewed today. Photo taken by Francois Aubert. 
Members of the firing squad who executed Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico with his generals Miguel Miramon and Tomas Mejia, 19 June 1857. Few foreign governments recognised his regime, which was also the case with Mexican liberals. The ensuing conflict ended with the Emperor’s execution.
Panoramic aerial view of Chapultepec Castle with Mexico City skyline on the background. The castle is the only one in the Americans that has been habited by royalty.
Debunking Mexican Myths 
A lovely clarification on the Cinco de Mayo myth.
As a child, my grand parents often talked about their plight in leaving México. They left in 1910.
You brought back fond memories. Thank you.
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Hi Norma, I am glad to know that you enjoy reading my blog. Oh wow, that was the start of the Revolutionary War in Mexico. Many people fled during that war. Thank you for sharing that.
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