Thank Zeus for Wiki (pending KRASNOV's goons' targeting it, which is true/coming). So, given that it turns out (in Wiki) that the Battle of Puebla was crucial with far-reaching implications in the French episode, your co-worker's testimony is borne out, so congrats for having a reliable, independent resource.
And since we 'muricans are widely said, by Europeans and other, worldly, observers to be the products of a poor education so as not to know or care about anybody else's or our own history, the generalizations and cliches are that much more emblematic of us.
And a reinforcement to me of the lesson that no matter how throwaway a post I might make - whether for attempted humor, irony, or punching at KRASNOV - more often than not there will be corrections, translations, instructions, et al. Thank Zeus and Google that I corrected the archaic "reenforcement" to the preferred "reinforcement"!1
***********QUOTE*******
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo
.... More popular in the United States than in Mexico,[3] Cinco de Mayo has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture.[4][5][6] Celebrations began in Columbia, California, where they have been observed annually since 1862.[7] The day gained nationwide popularity beyond those of Mexican-American heritage in the 1980s due to advertising campaigns by beer, wine, and tequila companies; today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl.[8] In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with various festivals and reenactments of the battle.
Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexican Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16, commemorating the Cry of Dolores in 1810, which initiated the Mexican War of Independence from Spain.[1][9] Cinco de Mayo has been referenced and featured in entertainment media, and has become an increasingly global celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, and heritage. ....
Significance
The Battle of Puebla was significant, both nationally and internationally, for several reasons. First, "This battle was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years."[23][24][note 2] Second, since the overall failed French intervention, some have argued that no country in the Americas has subsequently been invaded by any other military force from Europe.[25][note 3] Historian Justo Sierra has suggested in his Political Evolution of the Mexican People that, had Mexico not defeated the French in Puebla on May 5, 1862, France would have gone to the aid of the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War and the United States' destiny could have been different.[26][27] ....
Today, the commemoration of the battle is not observed as a national holiday in Mexico (i.e. not a statutory holiday).[34] However, all public schools are closed nationwide in Mexico on May 5.[35][36] The day is an official holiday in the State of Puebla, where the Battle took place, and also a full holiday (no work) in the neighboring State of Veracruz.[37][38] ....
*******UNQUOTE*********
= new reply since forum marked as read