Free e-cards have recently become the most popular ways of celebrating El Cinco de Mayo. The e cards are a fast and affordable way of showing your thanks to relatives and friends on this special day. The anniversary is special to many people, and you can help it become that bit more special by sending a few ecards to the people that celebrate this day.

El Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of the Battle at Puebla, in which the odds were stacked so high against the Mexican army that their decisive defeat of the invading French army lives vividly in the memories of Mexicans despite the fact that it didn't assure the final expulsion of the French.

In fact, if it wasn't for the courageous military and defensive maneuvers of approximately 4,000 Mexicans facing a French army three times that number on May 5, 1862, not only Mexico but also the United States would have been the next location of the French Emperor Napoleon III's plan for North America's domination.

Mexican ex-patriots living in the United States, who had formed societies of a political nature, had an interest at accelerating the conversion of the French puppet regime to a Mexican constitutional government, and supported Mexican forces in their rocky transition to independence.

In time, as the threat of further attacks from foreign powers waned, these organizations grew more social and cultural in nature. Cinco de Mayo is a time for observing the Mexican struggle for full independence and the triumphs through which it was attained.

Mexicans around the world commemorate Cinco de Mayo with festivities ranging from parades and dances to cultural gatherings complete with food and music. Speeches are given remarking on this event as a momentous victory in Mexican history, and guiding Mexicans and Mexican-Americans to take pride in their heritage.

It may seem strange that the celebration of Cinco de Mayo is so prominent in the United States, but it should be noted that not only did the Mexican forces have support from Mexicans in the United States but a particular unit of the Union army also supplied them with equipment and arms at the Mexican border with Texas.

Union soldiers were also given incentives to fight on behalf of the Mexican army upon being discharged. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, learn something about the Battle at Puebla, General Zaragoza, or Napoleon III's attempt to occupy Mexico. Make bright decorations, Mexican flags and streamers for example, and hang them up on the walls and bulletin boards of your school, classroom, or office along with the story of Cinco de Mayo, and rejoice in independence!

Mexican independence from Spain was declared final on September 15, 1810. It took Spanish soldiers approximately eleven years before they began to leave. Following their evacuation, the French ventured an ultimately failed attempt at occupying Mexico.

Millions of free e-cards are sent each year, and you could help celebrate Cinco De Mayo this year by sending free e-cards of your own. E cards are fast, e cards are free, and most importantly e cards can contain any message you want.