PUEBLA, BATTLE OF

(May 5, 1862), battle fought at Puebla, Mex., between the army of the liberal government headed by Benito Jurez and the French forces sent by Napoleon III to establish a French satellite state in Mexico. The battle, which ended in a Mexican victory, is celebrated in the national calendar of Mexican holidays as the Cinco de Mayo (5th of May). The route taken by the French invaders toward the capital was blocked by the fortified city of Puebla. Incautiously the French general Charles Latrille Laurencez ordered a frontal assault up the steep Cerro de Guadalupe against the Mexican position, which was fortified by a ditch and a brick wall. The Mexicans under Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza repulsed the attackers, who lost about 1,000 men and then retreated to the coast. In honour of its defender, Puebla was officially renamed Puebla de Zaragoza. The following March, the French general lie-Frdric Forey, with reinforcements from France, laid siege to Puebla. Its approximately 30,000 defenders, commanded by Gonzles Ortega, after having used up all ammunition and food, surrendered; most were sent to France as prisoners. On April 2, 1867, Daz retook the city, ending the imperialist occupation.