That is the question at the heart of Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, a holiday that symbolizes Mexico's fight for autonomy, even as it's come to be associated with sales and cervezas and margaritas in the U.S. Cinco de Mayo is part of a much deeper story of two nations — Mexico and the U.S. — trying to define themselves at a time when old empires were crumbling and borders were in flux. Throughline Cinco de Mayo and the Rise of Modern Mexico (2022) Cinco de Mayo and the Rise of Modern Mexico (2022) Listen · 50:07 50:07 Enlarge this image toggle caption UCLA Charles E. Young Research Library Department of Special Collections UCLA Charles E. Young Research Library Department of Special Collections Does history have a border?