Saturday, May 13, 2006

History Lesson and the Immigration Problem

There is a lot of buzz regarding the immigration issue.

I just found an interesting historical anecdote that may help smooth over some of these angry feelings people are experiencing. After all, the better we know each other, the less likely we are to feel threatened, right? That's what Hillary said, anyway, and she wouldn't tell lies, would she?

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 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.

Sorry, I don't know who gets credit. It came from an email that was forwarded ad naseum.