The next time you have to buy Magenta toner/ ink for your printer, think of this.....


The Battle of Magenta took place near the town of Magenta in the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, a crown land of the Austrian Empire on 4 June 1859.  The dye was discovered in 1859 and named in honour of the event. 

Now here is the Irish bit; the leader of French forces was of Irish descent.  According to Wikipedia, his family his family originally had land in Munster, lost it because of Cromwell, and then eventually emigrated to France after 1690. Patrice de MacMahon (Paddy to his mates) joined the French army in 1820 and distinguished himself fighting for Napoleon.  After winning the Battle of Magenta, he was made Duke of Magenta, before eventually becoming President of France!

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