History Lesson

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as

Sinko de Mayo.

(Thanks, Wendy!)

Thought for today: Remember, no mayonnaise in Ireland.

Comments

[rashbre]

...despite County Mayo in the west of the Republic :-)

[DUKE]

Additionally, many Mexicans went into withdrawal & to get treatment were forced to make the long journey to Minneapolis to the Mayo Clinic.

[DUKE]

p.s. On a more serious note, if you travel west & are Jonesin" for Hellman,s, it,s Best Foods out here. This could save you a trip to the Mayo Clinic.

[jacob's human]

Cinco de mayo --- ooh, that had me laughing my head off that I startled the cat. Real funny.

[Barbwire]

In 1954 when we first moved to California, my mother sent me to the store to buy mayonnaise. I came home with Best Foods, and she had a fit. She told me she would only use Hellman's. I told her they didn't have it, and the Best Foods label looked most like Hellmans. She was willing to taste it, so I didn't get punished.

[stacyj]

I cannot WAIT to tell this joke to everyone who comes within earshot of me =)

[doomcryer]

My personal favorite part was:
"...and the cargo was forever lost."