The Cinco de Mayo commemoration of the Battle of Puebla transcends the victory of the greatly outnumbered Mexican army over the French armed forces,” State Senator Jose Peralta said. “Cinco de Mayo is about the spirit and determination of our Mexican and Chicano brethren, about unity and patriotism, about strength of will and perseverance. It is a celebration of liberty and freedom and of the longstanding friendship between the United States and Mexico.