Long time members have read this story before, but for the newer members ...
Today, May 5th, is a Mexican holiday popularly observed here in California. But many people are not aware of the holiday's origins.
100 years ago Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, 12,000 jars of the condiment were loaded aboard the Titanic back in 1912, 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 did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank on April 15th. The cargo was forever lost.
The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, were eagerly awaiting its delivery. They were disconsolate at the loss. The national anguish was so great, that 3 weeks after the sinking, on the day the cargo had been scheduled for delivery to Mexico, the Mexican government 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.
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