List of days of the year

30 April - Camarón Day (French Foreign Legion)

 

Camarón Day is a significant commemoration observed by the French Foreign Legion on April 30th each year. It commemorates the Battle of Camarón, a legendary engagement that took place on April 30, 1863, during the French intervention in Mexico.

During the Battle of Camarón, a small detachment of about 65 legionnaires, led by Captain Jean Danjou, found themselves surrounded and vastly outnumbered by Mexican forces near the town of Camarón de Tejeda in Mexico. Despite being heavily outnumbered and facing overwhelming odds, the legionnaires fought with exceptional bravery and determination.

Captain Jean Danjou, who lost his left hand earlier in his military career, famously strapped his sword to his right arm and led his men into battle. Though the legionnaires fought valiantly, they were eventually overwhelmed by the Mexican forces. Captain Danjou and many of his men were killed in the fighting, but their heroic stand left a lasting legacy and became an enduring symbol of courage and sacrifice within the French Foreign Legion.

Camarón Day is observed by the French Foreign Legion as a day to honor the memory of Captain Jean Danjou and the brave legionnaires who fought alongside him at the Battle of Camarón. It is a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as a time to celebrate the Legion's traditions of valor, loyalty, and esprit de corps. Various ceremonies, parades, and events are held within the Legion to mark Camarón Day and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their comrades and their country.

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