Casa Jonsson

Someone just e-mailed me this story. I’m somewhat skeptical but I had to pass it on anyway. What raises my suspicion is the claim that the people of Mexico were, at any point in time, “crazy about mayonnaise.” If Araceli and the Mexican side of her family are at all representative of Mexicans, this cannot be true.

But who am I to say for sure? This is the part of history I really enjoy—the learning about different things.

Little-known fact about mayonnaise

Most people don’t know that 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 Veracruz, 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.

As we know, the “unsinkable” vessel did not make it to New York. She hit an iceberg and sank along with her cargo. 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 is still observed to this day. It occurs each year on May 5th and is known as Sinko de Mayo.