The Olive Oil Riot

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In an unfortunate chapter of American history ... about 1,600 Italian citizens living in the United States were shipped off to an internment camp in Missoula, Montana. In a humorous footnote to this largely unknown event, a mini-riot broke out in the camp when the Italian chef was presented with beef fat for frying. His temper got the better of him, and he slapped the American food supplier in the face. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt in the riot that ensued (an American guard shot himself in the foot, but it shows how seriously Italians take their food, and their olive oil.

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