All over a case of Mayonnaise

[Dave-W]

In late 1911, Mexico was in the midst of a brutal revolution. President Porfirio Diaz had been ousted from office and sought refuge in France. He found some amazing and new (to him) foods, including a most wonderful variety of mayonnaise. In an effort to restore the peace and reunite the warring factions, Diaz bought several cases of this delightful spread and had it shipped to the new president, Francisco Madero, who was facing severe opposition as well. Diaz hoped to form an alliance that would settle tensions. Diaz wrote to Madero and told him of the shipment. When late April came and there was still no sign of the shipment, Madero requested an investigation. The report came back to his desk on 4 May 1912. It seems all cases of the mayonnaise had been put aboard the ill-fated ship Titanic, which went down in the North Atlantic on the 15th of April.

Madero immediately signed a declaration for the country to mourn the lost opportunity for peace and it was to be observed the next day, May 5. He called the day:

SINKO DA MAYO.