Cinco de Mayo

It all started yesterday when a friend asked me if I knew when the Cinco de Mayo celebration would be. She wanted to take her children to it to learn more about the Latin culture. I told her that I didn’t know what time the festivities began, but 7:00 would probably be safe. Then she told me that she wanted to know what day it was–all she knew was that it was in May! ???????

This morning in my inbox was the following article (I get it EVERY year from someone or other. All my friends know that I love puns)

Hellmann's Mayo

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 on May 5th 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. And now you know where the name originated!

(Groans permitted)

For anyone out there who speaks NO Spanish at all, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th .

Now as for the pun -- It’s time for some SERIOUS debunking (lol)! The final destination for the Titanic was New York, not Mexico. There was no listing for mayonnaise on the cargo list. Lastly, Hellman’s Mayo was not produced in England until the 1960s. That’s the facts, folks.

Here’s a few more:

In 1861, Benito Juarez became president of Mexico. The country was in financial ruin, and Juarez defaulted on debts to European governments. France, Britain, and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand their money. Britain and Spain negotiated with Juarez and then withdrew, but France stayed. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force. President Juarez and his government fled.

The French were convinced that they would beat the Mexican army easily. Juarez learned that the French planned to attack Puebla de Los Angeles. 2,000 Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French attack. Early in the morning of May 5th, 6,000 French soldiers began their assault on the city. When they finally retreated that evening, they had lost 500 soldiers to fewer than 100 Mexicans killed.

Although not a major strategic victory in the overall war against the French, this victory gave the Mexican people hope that they could eventually win the war and helped encourage them through the difficult losses which followed. Six years later France withdrew.

Today, Mexicans celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla as Cinco de Mayo. It has become a celebration of their cultural heritage.

Here’s a few tidbits:

Mexico has the largest population of Spanish speakers in the world

Mexicans comprise the largest group of legal immigrants in the United States.

Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, as some assume. Mexico officially gained its independence from Spain some four decades before the conflict with France . Mexico celebrates September 16 -- the anniversary of the start of its War for Independence from Spain -- as its Independence Day (called "Grito de Dolores").

**A significant reward is being offered for anyone who can find my sense of humor today. I appear to have misplaced it. The finder of my sense of humor will be sent a package of long red balloons to use as chili peppers. These balloons can be used for such activities as “Steal the Peppers,” “Whack-a-Chili” and “Chili Pepper Relay.”

Traditional Recipes:

Mexican Rice
1 1/3 cups uncooked rice
3 Tbsp. bacon drippings or cooking oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic
2 cups chicken broth
1 (8-ounce) can tomato paste
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin

Fry rice in oil in large skillet over medium heat until it turns yellow. (Do not let it turn brown!) Add onion and garlic. Continue frying until onion is transparent. Add chicken broth. Stir in tomato paste, parsley, and cumin. Reduce heat to simmering. Cover and cook until all liquid is absorbed (about twenty minutes).

Fresh Salsa
5-6 ripe roma tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions
chopped jalapenos to taste (may be omitted if serving to young children)
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. cumin (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. salt (or to taste)
juice from one medium fresh lime

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Chill and serve.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

5 Tbsp. chili powder
6 Tbsp. minced onion (dried)
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
4 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To prepare one pound of ground beef, mix 1/2 cup water and 3 Tbsp. seasoning mix into beef. (Prepared mixture seasons five pounds of ground beef.)