Commemoration

Cinco De Mayo, Spanish for ‘fifth of May’ is celebrated in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. It originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War, but today it is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the French intervention into Mexico. Many mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexico’s Independence Day but that is in error. The most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico that is similar to the US fourth of July, is the celebration of Independence on September 16.

But I like the alternative version of Cinco de Mayo best ~

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 great 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 great ship never made it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank; its cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were understandably disconsolate at the loss.  Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this very day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known of course as, 

Sinko de Mayo.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is. ~ Francis Bacon