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National Brandied Fruit Day
Brandied fruit is a cocktail that’s been enjoyed for hundreds of years, but it became popular during the 19th century. Although adding brandy to fruit has been a way of keeping fruit from going bad, during the Victorian era, it also became the basis of many different desserts and other dishes. Unfortunately, brandied fruit isn’t as popular as it once was, but we can all change that fact by taking the time to celebrate National Brandied Fruit Day. This holiday encourages everyone to make their own brandied fruit-a process that is not only surprisingly easy but is also a great thing to have on hand for making a variety of different pies, cakes, and other desserts.
National Brandied Fruit Day
On October 20th every year, National Brandied Fruit Day is celebrated in the US and is mainly celebrated by those people who are fruit lovers
NATIONAL BRANDIED FRUIT DAY
On October 20th each year, we celebrate the delicious food holiday known as National Brandied Fruit Day!
#BrandiedFruitDay
Brandied fruit first became popular around the Victorian era. During this time, people discovered brandy added to fruit easily helped preserve it. Incidentally, the process also preserved the flavor of freshly harvests fruit crops while also creating a delicious dessert for adults.
Brandied fruit is created by soaking sweet fresh fruit in brandy, sugar, and spices. After the initial preparation, the fruit will sit for nearly 30 days. Then it is ready to top desserts, pies, and cakes. Interestingly, brandied fruit is used as a starter for Friendship Cake. Similar to the concept of a starter for sourdough bread, Friendship Cake takes time to prepare. However, once you’ve completed the process, you’re sure to enjoy one of the most delicious treats ever!
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE DAY | OCTOBER 18
National Chocolate Cupcake Day on October 18th annually celebrates the sweetness of small chocolate cakes. With a dollop of frosting, one sweet serving satisfies chocolate and cake lovers!
#ChocolateCupcakeDay
Cupcakes have also been called:
- Fairy Cakes
- Patty Cakes
- Cup Cakes (different from Cupcakes (one-word))
Cupcakes can be traced back to 1796 when a recipe notation of “a cake to be baked in small cups” was written in American Cookery, by Amelia Simmons. The earliest known documentation of the term cupcake was in 1828 in Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes, and Sweetmeats in Eliza Leslie’s Receipts cookbook.
Bakers initially baked their cupcakes in heavy pottery cups. However, bakers today use a plethora of tools at their fingertips. Some still use individual ramekins, small coffee mugs, large teacups, or other small ovenproof pottery-type dishes for baking their cupcakes. Of course, the most common cupcake tool is the muffin or cupcake pan. This handy tool includes multiple cups in one device
National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Today’s Food History
1753 Jean Jacques Regis de Cambaceres was born. A French politician and gourmet. A gastronomic contemporary and rival of Talleyrand and Carême. The dinners he gave were famous, and Cambaceres closely supervised the food preparation. He refused to admit late-comers, and was also said to have demanded complete silence while dining.
1871 Charles Babbage died. He invented the adding machine, and among his other inventions is the cowcatcher, the V shaped front end on locomotives.
1878 Thomas Edison made electricity available for household usage.
1892 The first long distance telephone line between Chicago and New York City was put in service.
1919 William Waldorf Astor Born. William Waldorf Astor was a cousin of John Jacob Astor IV, the great grandson of John Jacob Astor. He built the Waldorf section (1893) of what would become the Waldorf Astoria (1897). The Empire State Building (1929) now stands on the site.
1931 Thomas Alva Edison, “the wizard of Menlo Park” died.
1945 James T. Ehler, Chef and food writer, was born. That’s me – the author of this Culinary Calendar and the Food Reference Website.
1969 Cyclamate, a non-caloric sweetener, was banned. Discovered in 1937, and widely used in the food industry, cyclamate was found to cause cancer in laboratory rats. Cyclamate is still used in many countries around the world.
NATIONAL CHEESE CURD DAY | OCTOBER 15
On October 15th, National Cheese Curd Day celebrates the velvety goodness of cheese curds.
If you’re a total cheese head, then get excited to celebrate National Cheese Curd Day on October 15. Culver’s, a popular Midwestern fast-food chain, created this holiday in 2015 and if you don’t already know, cheese curds are bite-sized nuggets of cheese — now you can see why they have a whole day designated to them, right?! So on October 15, get in on the cheesy goodness and celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by buying or making — but most importantly, eating — cheese curds.
NATIONAL CHEESE CURD DAY TIMELINE
1100s
Cheese curds make it into a song
The Celtic song, “Visions of MacGonlannee,” mentioned cheese curds in its lyrics.
1840
Wisconsin got in on the cheese game
Wisconsin became the “it” place to make and produce cheese because of its rich farmland.
1922
Wisconsin’s cheese factories grow
By this year, Wisconsin was home to more than 2,800 cheese factories.
1900s
Cheese curds gain in popularity
Because cheese curds grew in popularity, milk factories experienced surpluses in this century.
NATIONAL CHEESE CURD DAY ACTIVITIES
Say “cheese” and share your pics on social media
Sharing experiences (new or nostalgic) on social media is always fun, so celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by sharing your cheese curd experience online. If you’re new to eating cheese curds, take a video capturing your first bite. If cheese curds were a staple in your childhood, snap pics of your favorite cheese curd joint.
Go crazy—take a trip to Wisconsin
What better way to celebrate National Cheese Curd Day than taking a trip to the state that started it all? Since this holiday falls on a Monday this year, you can experience Wisconsin for the weekend, hit up Culver’s (or any place that serves cheese curds), and save some cheese curds for when you're back home— and so you can eat them on National Cheese Curd Day — taking this indulgent holiday to a whole new level.
Try making your own
Whether you can buy fresh cheese curds locally or not, National Cheese Curd Day is the perfect time to tackle a new recipe challenge. So on October 15, look for recipes online and try frying your own cheese curds at home.
4 THINGS ABOUT CHEESE CURDS THAT’LL MAKE YOU WANT TO BOOK A FLIGHT TO WISCONSIN
Cheese curds squeak
Not only is squeaking a common characteristic of cheese curds—this happens because the elastic protein strands in the curds rub against your teeth’s enamel— but it’s also a sign of freshness.
It’s takes a lot of milk to make a little bit of cheese
Wisconsin cheese curds are so dang fresh and flavorful because they’re only filled with cheese from Wisconsin milk — and it takes 10 pounds of milk to produce one pound of cheese.
Don’t worry, the squeak can be restored
If you don’t finish your bag of cheese curds within two days (although let’s be honest, this would take serious self control), you can simply microwave them to get back them back to their squeaky state.
Their insides can vary in color
Because cheese curds are typically made with cheddar cheese, they can sometimes be white inside, or sometimes yellow.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHEESE CURD DAY
If you’ve never had one, this is your excuse to (finally) try one…or several
While cheese curds may be a staple for many people, you may have never had one, and that’s okay. But thanks to National Cheese Curd Day, you now have a reason to try them, so on October 15, make it a priority to get your hands on some.
Use it as an opportunity to try a new dish
Trying to cook a new dish is a fun challenge (especially when fried cheese is the end result), so if there isn’t a joint frying up cheese curds near you, try whipping up your own on October 15. After all, there’s not a better time to try a cheese curd recipe than on National Cheese Curd Day.
It’s a reason to eat cheese (as if we needed another one)
If you’re a cheese lover, then National Cheese Curd Day is the holiday for you. But unlike other days where you may just indulge in a meat and cheese platter or cheese and crackers, October 15 is your chance to indulge in gooey cheese curds.
What’s squeaking? National Cheese Curd Day is October 15th
Dairy Farmers of WisconsinWhat's Squeaking? National Cheese Curd Day is October 15thWisconsin, The State of Cheese® Shares Everything You Need to Celebrate the Glorious Cheese Curd
MADISON, Wis., Oct. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- National Cheese Curd Day is upon us, and soon cheese lovers near and far will come together to collectively celebrate the irresistible Wisconsin Cheese that is adored around the world. Get in on the fun and celebrate like a Wisconsinite by taking a bite out of the snack that squeaks!
October 15th is National Cheese Curd Day . Celebrate like a Wisconsinite by taking a bite out of the snack that squeaks!"Wisconsinites are truly obsessed with cheese, and while we tout some of the most awarded cheeses in the world, we know there is a unique fascination with our cheese curds," says Suzanne Fanning, Chief Marketing Officer for Wisconsin Cheese and Senior Vice President at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "In Wisconsin, cheese curds are just part of our culture—we look forward to getting curds fresh at local farmers markets and cheese shops around the state—still warm from being made that morning. Many restaurants across the state sell more cheese curds than French fries and nearly every Wisconsinite can tell you which restaurant makes their favorite fried cheese curd. This is our day to celebrate, and we are excited to share our love for all things curds with the rest of the country."
As a Bar Time treats or while watching a Wisconsin football game you can not beat fried cheese curds.
National Taco Day: Taco Bell, Del Taco, Jack in the Box and More Offer Free Tacos and Other Great Deals
Today is the ultimate Taco Tuesday.
Dan Avery
Oct. 4, 2022 6:23 a.m. PT
5 min read
Today is National Taco Day. That's right -- Taco Tuesday just got a major upgrade.
The origins of the popular dish stretch back to long before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, though what we know as the modern-day taco emerged in the 18th century, when Mexican miners needed something inexpensive and portable to eat. Some historians believe the word "taco" originated as slang for the paper rolls filled with gunpowder that they used to blast the ore.
When Mexican workers migrated to California, they bought the taco with them. By 1989, Wyoming-based chain Taco John's had actually trademarked "Taco Tuesday."
On National Taco Day, nationwide chains and local eateries alike are offering free tacos, discounts and other deals. Check out our growing list below and come back for more updates.
Celebrating National Taco Day at home? Check out top air fryers and pressure cookers for whipping up a Tex-Mex banquet.
Here's a list of 2022 National Taco Day deals and specials for your reference:
- 7-Eleven - On October 4, 2022, 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can get 10 mini tacos for $2.
- Del Taco - On October 4, 2022, they have they Tuesday special of 3 Snack Tacos for $1.69 from 3 PM to 11 PM but Del Yeah! rewards members can also earn double rewards all day in the app.
- El Pollo Loco - On October 4, 2022, Loco Rewards members who buy $10 or more of anything on the El Pollo Loco menu other than tacos will get a reward good for 8 free tacos in their loyalty account that can be redeemed between October 5 and October 31, 2022. They'll also be offering free delivery on the same day for orders placed through their website or mobile app.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop - On October 4, 2022, you can get select tacos for $1.50 each all day.
- Jack in the Box - On October 4, 2022, Monster Tacos return to the menu for a limited time. You can get two for $3 at participating locations.
- Long John Silver's - On October 4, 2022, you can a free taco with the purchase of any combo, meal, or platter in-store and online for pickup (you can find the necessary coupon through their email subscription or social media channels. If ordering online, you'll need to use the code, "NATIONALTACODAY").
Moe's Southwest Grill - On October 4, 2022, Moe Rewards Members can get $5 off any meal kit, including the Taco Meal Kit using the promo code "TACODAY22" online.
- Rubio's - On October 3 and October 4, 2022, you can get a free taco with any purchase.
- Taco Bell - On October 4, 2022, you can get a 30-day Taco Lover's Pass for $10.
- Taco John's - On October 4, 2022, loyalty members can get a free beef Taco Bravo with any purchase.
NATIONAL COMIC BOOK DAY | SEPTEMBER 25
On September 25th, National Comic Book Day honors the art, artists, and stories of comic books. Fans, collectors, readers, and artists come together to celebrate the day with events across the country.
#NationalComicBookDay
First popularized in the United States, comic books are also called comic magazines. Generally, comic books produce drawn sequential and opposing panels representing individual scenes. Each scene often includes descriptive prose and written narratives. When placed together, the panels form a complete story or a portion of a serial.
The earliest comic strips (which later gave birth to comic books) displayed dialogue in bubbles or balloons above characters’ heads. As an art form, the designs can be quite intricate. For example, text, dialogue, personalities, color, and imagery enhance part of a storyline. Over time, these storylines also distinguished eras, artists, genres, and themes.
People who collect comic books are known as pannapictagraphist.
NATIONAL COMIC BOOK DAY | SEPTEMBER 25
On September 25th, National Comic Book Day honors the art, artists, and stories of comic books. Fans, collectors, readers, and artists come together to celebrate the day with events across the country.
#NationalComicBookDay
First popularized in the United States, comic books are also called comic magazines. Generally, comic books produce drawn sequential and opposing panels representing individual scenes. Each scene often includes descriptive prose and written narratives. When placed together, the panels form a complete story or a portion of a serial.
The earliest comic strips (which later gave birth to comic books) displayed dialogue in bubbles or balloons above characters’ heads. As an art form, the designs can be quite intricate. For example, text, dialogue, personalities, color, and imagery enhance part of a storyline. Over time, these storylines also distinguished eras, artists, genres, and themes.
People who collect comic books are known as pannapictagraphist.
The term “comic book” comes from the first book sold as a book reprinted of humorous comic strips. Despite their name, comic books are not all humorous in tone and feature stories in all genres.
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One of the earliest known comics printed was The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. The 1842 hardcover comic book became the first known American comic book.
In 1896, Richard Felton drew a comic-book magazine published in the United States featuring The Yellow Kid in a sequence titled “McFadden’s Row of Flats.” The 196-page book featured black and white print and measured 5×7 inches. It sold for 50 cents.
In 1933, a comic book, Famous Funnies, appeared in the United States. Many believe the work to be the first real comic book. The reprinting of earlier newspaper comic strips established many of the story-telling devices used in comics.
LABOR DAY
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
Early Adopters
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
McGuire v. Maguire: Who Founded Labor Day?
Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.
Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that "the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday." Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
McGuire v. Maguire: Who Founded Labor Day?
Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.
Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that "the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday." Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.
Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
McGuire v. Maguire: Who Founded Labor Day?
Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.
Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that "the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday." Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.
The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
A Nationwide Holiday
Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades, picnics and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with – a street parade to exhibit "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day.
Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.
History of National Cuban Sandwich Day August 23rd, 2022
Does any sandwich fill the soul with joy quite like a Cuban sandwich? Probably not. While most people will enjoy the tasty treat on a semi-frequent basis, National Cuban Sandwich Day is the perfect time for hungry participants to show the humble yet heroic creation the love and attention it deserves – and there’s a lot of reasons to love it.
The Cuban sandwich is truly one of those magical foods that can be enjoyed by anyone (dietary needs aside) at anytime. Whether it’s a budget-friendly lunchtime meal for laborers or an evening treat for a business owner doesn’t matter, there’s never a bad time to enjoy the sandwich. However, there is a best time to appreciate it, and that’s National Cuban Sandwich Day.
Want to know more? Let’s tuck in.
History of National Cuban Sandwich Day
National Cuban Sandwich Day is a day to celebrate the traditional pressed Cuban sandwich and its many variants, which have spread from Tampa, Florida’s Ybor City neighborhood to restaurant menus in all corners of the world.
The Cuban sandwich is a history lesson pressed between two pieces of bread. Perhaps no other food represents the United States’ history as a melting pot at the turn of the century better than the Cubano, which combines elements from three different immigrant groups that came together, surprisingly, in the deep south. Also, it’s delicious!
A traditional Cuban sandwich consists of ham, mojo pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and dill pickle slices on crispy-but-not-too-chewy Cuban bread, all heated in a press, though National Cuban Sandwich Day celebrates all variations.
Cuban sandwich fun fact
While an early cousin of the Cuban sandwich was born in Cuba proper, the Cuban sandwich as we know it today originated in Tampa, Florida’s cigar-producing neighborhood of Ybor City in the late 1800s (then known as Cigar City, the “cigar capital of the world”) and caught on by the early 1900s. It was popular among workers in the district’s many cigar factories.
While it’s called a “Cuban” sandwich after the Cuban immigrants who settled in early Ybor City and influenced the sandwich the most, the ingredients are also a nod to the southern Italian bricklayers and the German cigar workers who also immigrated there. Salami was added via the Italian bricklayers, who found that placing a hot brick on top of the sandwich for a few minutes pressed it flat and made it taste better. Mustard was a condiment and flavor preferred by the Germans.
It also didn’t spoil in the Florida heat. That’s why there’s no mayonnaise on a traditional Cuban sandwich–refrigeration was scarce in tropical Tampa in the early 20th century.
History of National Cuban Sandwich Day
The Cuban sandwich itself has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century, but the beautifully brilliant sandwich continues to witness evolution in many different forms. National Cuban Sandwich Day is a far more contemporary idea that was borne from online interactions. In fact, somewhat incredibly, the event was actually launched in 2016 as a joke by Christopher Spata of the Tampa Bay Times, who wanted to see how many news agencies would run with the story of a fictional food celebration.
It turns out that the answer was quite a lot. It’s not that shocking really given that the “prank” wasn’t actually funny. Still, fans of the sandwich from around the globe can thank Spata’s idea for what has quickly turned into a widely celebrated annual event. Very much like the sandwich itself, National Cuban Sandwich Day has found its way to followers from around the globe and is on a trajectory to gain thousands of new fans each year.
National Cuban Sandwich Day actually follows the success of another event (yes, great food deserves more than one dedication throughout the year) that has been held in Tampa every year since 2012: the Cuban Sandwich Festival. The food festival, which was organized by Victor Padilla and Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla, hosts a competition between local vendors and restaurants to name the Best Cuban Sandwich of the Year. In its inaugural event, the organizers also built the World’s Longest Cuban Sandwich.
A number of neighborhoods in the regions synonymous with Cuban sandwiches have subsequently held public celebrations while restaurants and cafes are naturally very quick to embrace the fun. However, thanks to online viral content, the annual honoring of the firm foodie’s favorite has reached many new audiences in its first half-a-decade.
NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY | AUGUST 16
What happened to the comedian on August 16th during National Tell A Joke Day? Everyone stole his punchlines! All joking aside, get out there and laugh a little and tell some funny ones.
#TellAJokeDay
This day will be filled with smiles and laughter from morning till night. Jokes consist of humorous stories, either written or verbal, that often end with a punchline. While slapstick includes props and even minor stunts on the part of the storyteller, the best jokes are usually short. They involve a little misdirection and a well-delivered punchline. The more jokes you tell, the more fun you will have, and so will those around you.
Jokes have been a part of human culture since at least 1900 BC.
Since jokes come in many forms, try out your favorite. For some, that might be a one-liner or a knock-knock joke. While many people groan at the sight of a pun, they bring on chuckles, too. If you aren’t comfortable with the whole comedic act, rely on your sense of irony. Use this approach like seasoning, however. You might have a tough crowd. Others simply rely on gestures to express humor.
When telling a joke, timing and delivery can be an essential element. Without it, the joke will fall flat. Also, be sure to know the audience. For example, clown jokes may not go over well at a phobia convention.
In moderation, laughter is healthy, uses the abdominal muscles, and releases endorphins (natural feel-good chemicals) into the brain.
National Tell A Joke Day | August 16
NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY | AUGUST 16
What happened to the comedian on August 16th during National Tell A Joke Day? Everyone stole his punchlines! All joking aside, get out there and laugh a little and tell some funny ones.
#TellAJokeDay
This day will be filled with smiles and laughter from morning till night. Jokes consist of humorous stories, either written or verbal, that often end with a punchline. While slapstick includes props and even minor stunts on the part of the storyteller, the best jokes are usually short. They involve a little misdirection and a well-delivered punchline. The more jokes you tell, the more fun you will have, and so will those around you.
Jokes have been a part of human culture since at least 1900 BC.
Since jokes come in many forms, try out your favorite. For some, that might be a one-liner or a knock-knock joke. While many people groan at the sight of a pun, they bring on chuckles, too. If you aren’t comfortable with the whole comedic act, rely on your sense of irony. Use this approach like seasoning, however. You might have a tough crowd. Others simply rely on gestures to express humor.
When telling a joke, timing and delivery can be an essential element. Without it, the joke will fall flat. Also, be sure to know the audience. For example, clown jokes may not go over well at a phobia convention.
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In moderation, laughter is healthy, uses the abdominal muscles, and releases endorphins (natural feel-good chemicals) into the brain.
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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL TELL A JOKE DAY
How many jokes did the chicken tell? Just one, then it crossed the road. Splat… Tell a joke. While you’re at it, listen to a few, too. Be sure to laugh, celebrate, have fun and enjoy! Use #TellAJokeDay to post on social media.
Are you looking for more ways to enjoy a good joke? Then, check out 5 Types of Jokes to Tell Your Kids for a dose of the humor medicine.
Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for ideas and projects designed for celebrating the day with your students. Enjoy infusing humor into your classroom while watching your students learn more than ever before!
National Lighthouse Day – August 7th
It was on this day in 1789, that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. In Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Act and the commissioning of the first Federal lighthouse, Congress passed a resolution which designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day.
The text for the original 1789 act…
An Act for the Establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all expenses which shall accrue from and after the fifteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, in the necessary support, maintenance and repairs of all lighthouses, beacons, buoys and public piers erected, placed, or sunk before the passing of this act, at the entrance of, or within any bay, inlet, harbor, or port of the United States, for rendering the navigation thereof easy and safe, shall be defrayed out of the treasury of the United States: Provided nevertheless, That none of the said expenses shall continue to be so defrayed by the United States, after the expiration of one year from the day aforesaid, unless such lighthouses, beacons, buoys and public piers, shall in the mean time be ceded to and vested in the United States, by the state or states respectively in which the same may be, together with the lands and tenements thereunto belonging, and together with the jurisdiction of the same.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That a lighthouse shall be erected near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, at such place, when ceded to the United States in manner aforesaid, as the President of the United States shall direct.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide by contracts, which shall be approved by the President of the United States, for building a lighthouse near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, and for rebuilding when necessary, and keeping in good repair, the lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers in the several States, and for furnishing the same with all necessary supplies; and also to agree for the salaries, wages, or hire of the person or persons appointed by the President, for the superintendence and care of the same.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That all pilots in the bays, inlets, rivers, harbors and ports of the United States, shall continue to be regulated in conformity with the existing laws of the States respectively wherein such pilots may be, or with such laws as the States may respectively hereafter enact for the purpose, until further legislative provision shall be made by Congress. Approved: August 7, 1789
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That a lighthouse shall be erected near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, at such place, when ceded to the United States in manner aforesaid, as the President of the United States shall direct.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide by contracts, which shall be approved by the President of the United States, for building a lighthouse near the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, and for rebuilding when necessary, and keeping in good repair, the lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers in the several States, and for furnishing the same with all necessary supplies; and also to agree for the salaries, wages, or hire of the person or persons appointed by the President, for the superintendence and care of the same.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That all pilots in the bays, inlets, rivers, harbors and ports of the United States, shall continue to be regulated in conformity with the existing laws of the States respectively wherein such pilots may be, or with such laws as the States may respectively hereafter enact for the purpose, until further legislative provision shall be made by Congress. Approved: August 7, 1789
Origin of National Lighthouse Day…
Senator John H. Chafee (Rhode Island) sponsored a joint resolution that was introduced to Congress on April 28, 1988 designating the day of August 7, 1989 as “National Lighthouse Day.” The summary of the resolution stated, “Designates August 7, 1989, as National Lighthouse Day and calls for lighthouse grounds, where feasible, to be open to the public.” The resolution passed the Senate on July 26, 1988 and the House (sponsored by Representative William J. Hughes, New Jersey) on October 21, 1988. President Ronald Reagan signed the Bill into public law (No. 100-622) on November 5, 1988.
The following photos are of lighthouses I have visited over the years.
Milwaukee pier lighthouse
Milwaukee North Shore lighthouse
Cana Island Lighthouse Door County Wisconsin.
Explore Cana Island at 150
Explore Door County’s most iconic lighthouse, celebrating 150 years of standing watch on the shore of Lake Michigan in 2019.
Ride a haywagon over the causeway to explore the island, including the 89-foot-tall tower, the original home of the lighthouse keeper and his family, and the oil house where fuel for the light was stored.
Yahara River locks light Madison, Wisconsin
Umpqua lighthouse is a wonderfully-preserved functioning lighthouse that is easily accessible Oregon state lighthouse
NATIONAL GRAB SOME NUTS DAY | AUGUST 3
There are many “nut” days throughout the year such as National Almond Day, National Pistachio Day, and National Pecan Day, but August 3rd embraces them all. It’s National Grab Some Nuts Day!
#NationalGrabSomeNutsDay
Defining a nut is tricky. Though botanically an almond and cashew aren’t considered nuts, once they’re in the can, it’s hard to tell the difference. The same goes for walnuts and peanuts, even though they have the word “nut” in their names. Despite the confusion, these nuts, legumes, seeds, and drupes continue to find their way into our daily diets. Whether we add them to salads or into our baking, we love nuts. We’re nutty for nuts!
Depending on the kind, they add necessary good fats to our diets. They’re also full of minerals and nutrients we might otherwise be missing. In the right quantities, they improve our health and make things taste better, too. There’s nothing too nutty about that.
These little bountiful nuggets contain beneficial nutrients, have a long shelf life, and can be quite portable. They add a nice crunch to snacks and desserts as well as satisfying meals. National Grab Some Nuts Day might seem a little squirrelly, but then again it’s the right time of year for it. Go nuts and grab a few or a lot!
NATIONAL GRAB SOME NUTS DAY | AUGUST 3
There are many “nut” days throughout the year such as National Almond Day, National Pistachio Day, and National Pecan Day, but August 3rd embraces them all. It’s National Grab Some Nuts Day!
#NationalGrabSomeNutsDay
Defining a nut is tricky. Though botanically an almond and cashew aren’t considered nuts, once they’re in the can, it’s hard to tell the difference. The same goes for walnuts and peanuts, even though they have the word “nut” in their names. Despite the confusion, these nuts, legumes, seeds, and drupes continue to find their way into our daily diets. Whether we add them to salads or into our baking, we love nuts. We’re nutty for nuts!
Depending on the kind, they add necessary good fats to our diets. They’re also full of minerals and nutrients we might otherwise be missing. In the right quantities, they improve our health and make things taste better, too. There’s nothing too nutty about that.
These little bountiful nuggets contain beneficial nutrients, have a long shelf life, and can be quite portable. They add a nice crunch to snacks and desserts as well as satisfying meals. National Grab Some Nuts Day might seem a little squirrelly, but then again it’s the right time of year for it. Go nuts and grab a few or a lot!
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GRAB SOME NUTS DAY
Do not forget to grab a handful of your favorite nuts to snack on today! Better yet, get baking. Nuts add texture and flavor to baked goods. Don’t forget the savory dishes. Try adding almonds to salads, peanuts to stirfry or create a crust from crushed pecans for a pork roast. We even have some recipes for you to try:
No matter how you celebrate, the day encourages sharing by using #NationalGrabSomeNutsDay on social media.
Are you looking for more variety? We offer 9 Delicious Nuts from Around the World for you to explore.
NATIONAL GRAB SOME NUTS DAY HISTORY
We were unable to identify the origin of the observance.
NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY | AUGUST 2
On August 2nd, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day encourages us to cool off with one of our favorite frozen treats. Whether it’s vanilla, strawberry or Neopolitan between two chocolate wafers, the dessert sure will hit the spot on a hot summer day.
#IceCreamSandwichDay
The original ice cream sandwich sold for a penny in 1900 from a pushcart in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Newspapers never identified the name of the vendor in articles that appeared across the country. However, the ice cream sandwiched between milk biscuits became a hit. Soon, pushcarts popped up around the city and country during the summer months selling the portable treats. Early pictures show beachgoers at Atlantic City getting their ice cream sandwichs for 1¢ each.
Once ice cream sandwiches became popular, recipes for home cooks filled the papers. The sandwich layers included everything from angel food and sponge cake to shortbread cookies. Restaurants offered the ice cream sandwich as a decadent dessert for travelers. By 1940, grocers sold sandwiches made with crispy wafers.
One account claims the modern ice cream sandwich with the chocolate wafer was invented in 1945 by Jerry Newberg. The ice cream maker sold his creation at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time, the storied location was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
If the chocolate brownie wafer doesn’t appeal to you, don’t hesitate to mix it up. All variety of cookies make excellent sandwich parts. Change up the ice cream, too. Around the world, ice cream sandwiches go by a variety of names including the Monaco Bar, Giant Sandwich, Maxibon, Cream Between, Vanilla Slice, and many more.
If the chocolate brownie wafer doesn’t appeal to you, don’t hesitate to mix it up. All variety of cookies make excellent sandwich parts. Change up the ice cream, too. Around the world, ice cream sandwiches go by a variety of names including the Monaco Bar, Giant Sandwich, Maxibon, Cream Between, Vanilla Slice, and many more.
NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY | FOURTH THURSDAY IN JULY
National Refreshment Day on the fourth Thursday in July celebrates fun at the hottest time of the year. The day toasts those moments of ice, cold refreshment, especially a nice cold beer. These are the simple pleasures that we all love and cherish.
#NationalRefreshmentDay
Whether you’re at the beach or wrapping up a long day of work, it’s nice to know there’s a glass waiting for you somewhere. The dog days of summer call for coolers full of ice. Long weekends and vacation days beckon, too. Take a day and celebrate.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL REFRESHMENT DAY
Turn the fan on high, grab your bathing suit, and ice down the beer. Make the most of the dog days and raise a glass to Refreshment! Give a shout-out to your favorite brewery or craft beer. You can also try something new. Have you ever tried these?
- Mojito – This refreshing cocktail includes refreshing mint combined with rum, lime and soda water.
- Cucumber and vodka – Cilantro and cucumber slices perk up a splash of vodka.
- Sangria – A variety of sangria recipes offer a bright and sparkling refresher.
You can also thank a server for their dedication and buy them a refreshing beverage. Share in the holiday by using #NationalRefreshmentDay on social media.
National Refreshment Day 2022: History, significance and interesting quotes
This special day is usually observed during the hottest time of the year when a cold cup of coffee, iced tea, or lemonade is all that your body needs on a hot tiring day
NATIONAL VANILLA ICE CREAM DAY | JULY 23
Vanilla Ice Cream Day on July 23rd tips its hat at the second most popular flavor in America. Take a bow, vanilla. I scream, you scream, we all scream for…VANILLA ICE CREAM!! Of course, the day is part of National Ice Cream Month and not too far behind National Ice Cream Day.
#VanillaIceCreamDay
Since Americans love vanilla ice cream so much, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that vanilla is the most common flavoring in North America for ice cream. In fact, many people consider vanilla ice cream to be the default flavor.
Many may be familiar with Thomas Jefferson’s vanilla ice cream recipe. The third president of the United States may have discovered a love for the vanilla flavor while visiting France. While he wouldn’t have been the first to savor the delicious taste of vanilla ice cream, Jefferson enjoyed jotting down recipes. The same applied to ice cream. He also produced a handwritten copy of a vanilla ice cream recipe in the 1780s. Only ten copies remain. In fact, the Library of Congress houses one copy that has a cookie recipe on the flip side. Today, the ice cream parlor at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota serves the same recipe so that anyone can have a taste.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL VANILLA ICE CREAM DAY
Make your own with this old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream recipe for you to enjoy! While you’re at it, invite some friends to enjoy it with you. Maybe, go out for some vanilla ice cream. Scoop up a dish full from the ice cream in your freezer. Will you add chocolate syrup or caramel? Oh, and don’t forget the sprinkles! Post a photo on social media using #VanillaIceCreamDay to encourage others to do the same.
NATIONAL VANILLA ICE CREAM DAY HISTORY
We were unable to find the creator and origin of National Vanilla Ice Cream
NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY | July 21
July 21st dedicates a giant menu of items to National Junk Food Day. Each year, the day permits us to chow down on the foods we usually don’t include in our daily diet. Junk foods, by definition, typically contain high fats, sugars, salt, and calories and very little nutritional value.
#NationalJunkFoodDay
With the advent of packaged foods during the late 1800s, junk food made its way into American life. Still, home-cooked meals remained the standard for several more decades. Eventually, after World War II, the artery-clogging industry took off. Since the population ate out more, traveled more, the industry was primed to produce products at an increased rate.
From the frozen food aisle to fast food chains, a myriad of choices for consumers flooded the market. Potato chips, baked goods and so much more filled supermarket shelves, prepackaged and ready to go.
By the 1970s, junk foods earned a name and a bad one, too. Michael Jacobson, a microbiologist, is credited with coining the phrase. He also set out to curb our appetite for the high sugar, high salt, high preservative foods Americans consumed at an alarming rate.
National French Fry Day Freebies And Deals Roundup For July 13, 2022.
National French Fry Day on July 13 is a great opportunity to take the time to sample some golden-brown potato slices. But did you know that the origin of French fries is more than likely not French at all? Potatoes were being fried in Belgium way before the French, but more on that later. When it comes to the tastiest French fries on the planet, everyone seems to have an opinion. It’s a time-consuming decision to find your favorite because no two restaurants seem to have the same recipe. French fries do have a nutritional stigma attached to them, however, due to high-caloric and fat content. But it’s tough to say no to a hot batch — even the ones at the bottom of the bag.
WHEN IS NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY 2022?
Crinkle-cut, English style, or McDonald’s famous fries, French fries are enjoyed and celebrated on National French Fry Day on July 13.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY
Estimates say Americans eat around 30 pounds of French fries per person each year. That seems like a lot, but when you think about all the ways you can eat fries, it adds up quickly. They’re easy to gobble down, whether they’re straight out of a fast-food French-fry container or whether you’re an expert at making fries at home. Add in all of the different condiments, and these simple potatoes become even more popular.
The term ‘French fries’ refers to deep-fried slices or strips of potatoes. While the precise origins are unknown, the item hit the culinary scene sometime in the 1700s. It had taken an entire century for potatoes to become widely accepted as food, arriving in Europe in the 1600s.
Like most iconic foods, the French fry has an interesting folk story about how it was created. Belgians call dibs on the origins of French fries, claiming it to be an invention of their people. According to a manuscript by Joseph Gerard, the residents of the Meuse Valley, located near Dinant in Belgium, consumed a lot of fish, since they lived near the river. During winters, when the rivers would freeze and fishing would become difficult, the idea to slice potatoes like fish fillets and fry them in hot fat was born.
Here’s a look at some of the special offers you can expect to find at a restaurant chain near you on Wednesday:
- Burger King: Free Chicken Fries for Perks Members with every $3 purchase on Wednesday, July 13 via the BK app, BK.com – not available via delivery.
- Checkers and Rally’s: Launched this petition to have the National French Fry Day holiday permanently changed to a Friday. Anyone who signs the “Fry Day To Friday” petition will instantly receive a digital coupon valid for a free medium order of Checkers & Rally’s famous seasoned fries.
- Del Taco: Offering Del Yeah! Rewards members $1 Small or Medium Crinkle Cut Fries with any purchase in the app or online from July 13 through July 19, 2022. Limit one offer per guest per day.
- Elevation Burger: Treating fans to one free order of French Fries with any purchase from Grubhub from July 13 through July 19, 2022.
- Farmer Boys: Offering Always Crispy Fries for $1- all day with any purchase at participating locations, while supplies last.
- Fatburger: Fans will be treated to one free order of Fat or Skinny Fries starting National French Fry Day, July 13, through July 19 with any purchase made in-store or online. Guest must mention promotion in store or use code FrenchFryDay22 online to redeem.
- Hardee’s: Offering fans the chance to receive free fries for the rest of the year. My Rewards members who make an in-app purchase that includes fries on National French Fry Day (July 13) will receive a Free small natural cut fry with purchase mobile offer in their My Rewards account and can redeem one time per day beginning July 14 through December 31, 2022.
- HEINZ: Offering $5.70 off any DoorDash order of $15 or more with fries included at participating restaurants on July 13, 2022.
- Hot Dog on a Stick: Offering fans a free surprise with any fry purchase in-store and online. Surprises include: a free stick with any lemonade purchase and $5 off $15 or more online.
- Jack in the Box: Offering 2 for $2 French Fries through the Jack in the Box mobile app on July 13. This automatic offer will be on the deals page in the app and applies to medium size fries.
- KFC: Sales of KFC’s Secret Recipe Fries at participating locations support the KFC Foundation, a non-profit organization whose vision is to make every KFC restaurant employee feel supported and empowered to be their best self.
- McDonald’s: Offering a free order of Large Fries exclusively in the McDonald’s mobile app on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 – no purchase necessary.
- Metro Diner: Bringing back a dish in honor of their 30th anniversary and was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Dine-Ins and Dives – The Pittsburgh Steak Salad – a garden salad topped with French Fries, steak tips, blue cheese crumbles and served with blue cheese dressing for $14.99.
- PDQ: Welcoming back the Waffle Fry Shake for one day only on July 13, 2022
- Penn Station East Coast Subs: Giving away the brand’s fresh-cut fries with any sandwich purchase.
- Smashburger: Offering free Smashfries with the purchase a Cheesy burger.
NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SUNDAE DAY | JULY 7
On July 7th, it is time to indulge on National Strawberry Sundae Day. Each year on this day, Americans combine vanilla or strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Make several strawberry sundaes, and enjoy this delicious treat with friends and family.
#StrawberrySundaeDay
While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is cooly debated. The October 5, 1892 ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday.
However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin claims that Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881. According to the story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Since ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath, Berners came up with a compromise and served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda. He topped it with chocolate syrup and called it a Sundae. One interesting catch – Berners was 18 at the time the story takes place.
Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae takes place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892 where Reverend John M. Scott stops to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped them with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday.
While an origin story for the strawberry sundae hasn’t surfaced, it isn’t a stretch to imagine a strawberry replacing a cherry. Or strawberries topping chocolate. Celebrating sundaes with strawberries and whipped cream just seems worthy of a holiday no matter who created it.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SUNDAE DAY
It’s summer! Strawberries and ice cream just go together. What better way to celebrate than with a sundae? Set up a strawberry sundae bar and invite the neighbors to make their own. Maybe they would like to try this sundae recipe. Post on social media using #StrawberrySundaeDay.
NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SUNDAE DAY HISTORY
We were unable to identify the creator of National Strawberry Sundae Day.
Today is: National Fried Chicken Day
News-Messenger/News Journal
USA Today Network
National Fried Chicken Day is observed in the United States of America annually on July 6. It is unclear how the day originated. Fried chicken
In observance of the day, fried chicken is prepared in a variety of ways, and eaten.
Some chain fried chicken restaurants such as Church's Chicken and KFC, and other chain restaurants such as Grandy's, offer promotions on National Fried Chicken Day.
Fried chicken, also known as Southern fried chicken, is eaten today. In order to make it, chicken is usually cut at the joints into smaller pieces, and the skin and bones are left on. It is coated in batter, which is made of ingredients such as eggs, milk, flour, and seasoning. It is then pan-fried, deep fried, or pressure fried in lard or oil. It ends up with a crisp or crunchy outside and a juicy inside.
Prior to the mid-20th century, chicken was quite expensive and fried chicken was only eaten on special occasions. Its price went down with the rise of industrial animal farming, and by the late 1990s and early 2000s, fried chicken was being mass-produced. There are now many fried chicken restaurants, and some of them have deals on National Fried Chicken Day.
NATIONAL BARBECUED SPARERIBS DAY | JULY 4
Get the charcoals ready as we observe National Barbecued Spareribs Day across the nation annually on July 4th.
#BarbecuedSpareribsDay
One of the most popular days to barbecue and grill, July 4th will have the back yards, patios, and beaches heating up with the flavors of spareribs. While steak is great, these inexpensive cuts of pork or beef ribs can be seasoned with spice rubs and sauces.
For the best barbecued spareribs, follow these tips for tender, delicious ribs every time.
NATIONAL BARBECUED SPARERIBS DAY | JULY 4
Get the charcoals ready as we observe National Barbecued Spareribs Day across the nation annually on July 4th.
#BarbecuedSpareribsDay
One of the most popular days to barbecue and grill, July 4th will have the back yards, patios, and beaches heating up with the flavors of spareribs. While steak is great, these inexpensive cuts of pork or beef ribs can be seasoned with spice rubs and sauces.
For the best barbecued spareribs, follow these tips for tender, delicious ribs every time.
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Barbecue Tips
- Select the right meat – Choose ribs with meat all over the bone. Fat is ok, just make sure it’s balanced, too. When you find ribs that have fat at one end, walk on by.
- Get enough – Nobody likes missing out. Half a slab per adult should be enough.
- Use a dry rub – Rubs vary. Use one that meets your family’s preferences. Apply the rub before you put the ribs on the grill, but there’s no need to let the ribs marinate in the seasonings for long.
- Low heat – The temperature of the grill should be around 200° F.
- Indirect heat – Whether you’re using charcoal or gas, the important thing to remember is to place the ribs opposite of where the coals or burners are lit.
- Use tongs – Forks will pierce the meat, letting the juices out. Turn the ribs every 20-30 minutes.
- Add sauce – When there are about 40-45 minutes of cooking time left, add the barbecue sauce. Again, use the sauce that best fits your family’s preferences.
- Rest the ribs – 15 minutes will let the meat absorb the juices that heat has forced to the outer surface. The end result is a juicier, more tender rib.
When eating spareribs, don’t wear your Sunday best. While some manners go out the window, try to maintain some decorum. Eat this sweet and messy deliciousness with your fingers, but carry plenty of napkins. Wiping your hands on your shirt is a no-no. The better the ribs, the more napkins you will need.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BARBECUE SPARERIBS DAY
Come share your favorite BBQ recipe with us on our National Day Recipes page!
Give this sparerib recipe or dry rub recipe a try and enjoy the Independence Day weekend! Beyond the recipes, be sure to celebrate with friends and family. This day, as well as many others, offer the opportunity to socialize and share your BBQ and grilling talents. Impart some wisdom while you’re out there tending the ribs and the next generation will be ready to take the tongs!
If you’re just starting out, check out these 7 Hot BBQ Tips to get you started. Share your best barbecued spareribs on social media using #BarbecuedSpareribsDay.
FOURTH OF JULY, 2022
Good morning Freedom Land on this morning after a bustling very warm fireworks popping Sunday night at 11:43pm. Happy 4th of July Everyone! Have a wonderful day spending time with Friends and Family gathered around backyards, front yards or in your home enjoying quality time cooking and laughing and reminiscing about the past. Enjoy the fireworks this evening in your hometowns across America. God bless this beautiful Country! God bless you and your Family! Happy 4th of July Monday Everyone! Peace and tranquility be yours always.
NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY | JULY 2
On July 2nd, we recognize a liqueur derived from aniseed on National Anisette Day. Aniseed from the anis herb gives anisette its licorice or fennel flavor. While usually a dry, dry liqueur, distillers sometimes add a sugar syrup for a sweeter result. Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France lead the world in drinking this licorice-tasting drink.
#NationalAnisetteDay
The herb of the aniseed, usually the main ingredient in anisette, is considered to have medicinal qualities. Sweeter than other anise-flavored liqueurs, anisette’s association with various cures dates back to ancient Egypt. As a liqueur, distillers create a dryer anisette in Europe than they do in the United States. Distillers add other spices such as coriander and fruit to distill anisette, too.
While most enjoy anisette by sipping it, the liqueur can be mixed as a cocktail, too. However, pure anise extract should not be drunk straight. Since its alcoholic content is high, it irritates the throat. However, mixing it in with coffee, gin, bourbon, or water will bring out a bit of a sweet flavor. The solution? Bake some anise cookies!
If you’re the one who eats all the black jelly beans, you will likely savor a shot with anisette. The licorice flavor comes from the same anise plant that we make some of our licorice candies from.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ANNISETTE DAY
Anisette mixes well with other liqueurs, juices, and sodas for a variety of cocktails and shooters. Sip some anisette for a toast to the licorice flavor you love! You can also make anise cookies or spiced bars. Another way to celebrate is by exploring 100 Years of Prohibition History. Post on social media using #NationalAnisetteDay.
NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this distilled holiday.
NATIONAL METEOR WATCH DAY | JUNE 30
On June 30th, National Meteor Watch Day encourages us to look to the stars to witness one of the night sky’s most thrilling sights. Also known as National Meteor Day, on a cloudless night, people turn their eyes to the heavens in hopes of spotting the glow of a falling star.
#NationalMeteorWatchDay
Daily millions of meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
National Meteor Watch Day – A Learning Opportunity
When space debris, such as pieces of rock, enter the Earth’s atmosphere the friction causes the surrounding air to become scorching hot. This “shooting star” streaking through the sky surrounded by flaming hot air is a meteor.
The majority of the meteoroids that cause meteors are only the size of a pebble.
Meteors sometimes occur in showers. It’s an excellent time to plan for a meteor-watching party. Whether we catch a few stray falling stars or witness an entire meteor shower, this day calls for an evening with friends and family under the stars. Identify the constellations while waiting to make a wish or two. Sounds like a romantic night, as well.
Meteor, Meteoroid and Meteor Showers
In the Northern Hemisphere, one of the most active meteor showers is the Perseids. Named after the constellation Perseus where the majority of the activity takes place, particles released by the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle cause the meteors to shower down onto Earth. One of the most impressive meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere, the Perseids put on dazzling displays. Some years, on a clear night with a new moon, skywatchers view more than one meteor per minute! The Perseids are active from mid-July to late August.
We usually observe meteors at night, and they are visible when they are about 34 to 70 miles above the Earth. When they come within 31-51 miles of the Earth, they often disintegrate. Their glow time is usually about a second.
Despite the large number of meteors we see, a small percent of meteoroids hit the Earth’s atmosphere and then skip back into space.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL METEOR WATCH DAY
Plan your night with these 9 Steps to Great Night Sky Viewing. Gather some friends together, a blanket, and find a place far from the city lights on a cloudless night. Use #NationalMeteorWatchDay to share on social media.
Educators and families, check out the National Day Calendar Classroom for more ways to Celebrate Every Day!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL METEOR WATCH DAY
Within our research, we were unable to identify the creator of National Meteor Watch Day.
NATIONAL WAFFLE IRON DAY | JUNE 29
Waffle lovers finally have their day of recognition on June 29th as they celebrate National Waffle Iron Day. Some people enjoy their waffles plain with syrup, but we like ours topped with berries, whipped cream, too. Who knew a simple machine would make such a big impact on our lives!
#NationalWaffleIronDay
The waffle iron is usually two honeycomb-patterned metal plates hinged together. A person pours or places the batter between the heated plates and then closes it to bake the waffle. Other patterns waffle off and on the market reflecting pop culture so we can make waffles shaped into famous animated characters and iconic logos.
Waffle irons got their start in the 14th century in the Low Countries. Even the earliest designs that were used over an open fire would have elaborate designs such as coats of arms and religious symbols.
To waffle means to waver between decisions. Similar words with this meaning include flip-flop or yo-yo which also have National Days on the calendar!
The first patent in the USA for a waffle iron was in 1869, submitted by Cornelius Swarthout. In 1911, General Electric produced a prototype electric waffle iron. The first electric waffle iron was available to the general public in 1918.
NATIONAL WAFFLE IRON DAY | JUNE 29
Waffle lovers finally have their day of recognition on June 29th as they celebrate National Waffle Iron Day. Some people enjoy their waffles plain with syrup, but we like ours topped with berries, whipped cream, too. Who knew a simple machine would make such a big impact on our lives!
#NationalWaffleIronDay
The waffle iron is usually two honeycomb-patterned metal plates hinged together. A person pours or places the batter between the heated plates and then closes it to bake the waffle. Other patterns waffle off and on the market reflecting pop culture so we can make waffles shaped into famous animated characters and iconic logos.
Waffle irons got their start in the 14th century in the Low Countries. Even the earliest designs that were used over an open fire would have elaborate designs such as coats of arms and religious symbols.
To waffle means to waver between decisions. Similar words with this meaning include flip-flop or yo-yo which also have National Days on the calendar!
The first patent in the USA for a waffle iron was in 1869, submitted by Cornelius Swarthout. In 1911, General Electric produced a prototype electric waffle iron. The first electric waffle iron was available to the general public in 1918.
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Nike Co-Founder Bill Bowerman, an Oregon Track Coach at the time, used his wife’s waffle iron to create a sole for footwear that would be lightweight but also grip a surface. This design would soon be called the “Moon Shoe” in 1972 and the “Waffle Trainer” in 1974. His waffle iron shoe helped spur the growth of Blue Ribbon Sports / Nike.
Waffle iron makers today offer a large variety of choices from waffle irons that make very thin waffles to those that can make
NATIONAL WAFFLE IRON DAY | JUNE 29
Waffle lovers finally have their day of recognition on June 29th as they celebrate National Waffle Iron Day. Some people enjoy their waffles plain with syrup, but we like ours topped with berries, whipped cream, too. Who knew a simple machine would make such a big impact on our lives!
#NationalWaffleIronDay
The waffle iron is usually two honeycomb-patterned metal plates hinged together. A person pours or places the batter between the heated plates and then closes it to bake the waffle. Other patterns waffle off and on the market reflecting pop culture so we can make waffles shaped into famous animated characters and iconic logos.
Waffle irons got their start in the 14th century in the Low Countries. Even the earliest designs that were used over an open fire would have elaborate designs such as coats of arms and religious symbols.
To waffle means to waver between decisions. Similar words with this meaning include flip-flop or yo-yo which also have National Days on the calendar!
The first patent in the USA for a waffle iron was in 1869, submitted by Cornelius Swarthout. In 1911, General Electric produced a prototype electric waffle iron. The first electric waffle iron was available to the general public in 1918.
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Nike Co-Founder Bill Bowerman, an Oregon Track Coach at the time, used his wife’s waffle iron to create a sole for footwear that would be lightweight but also grip a surface. This design would soon be called the “Moon Shoe” in 1972 and the “Waffle Trainer” in 1974. His waffle iron shoe helped spur the growth of Blue Ribbon Sports.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WAFFLE IRON DAY
Break out your waffle iron and give it a good workout. Share your recipes for your favorite waffles, too. We even have two recipes for you to try!
Use #NationalWaffleIronDay to share your masterpieces on social media.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WAFFLE IRON DAY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this kitchen gadget holiday.
NATIONAL ICE CREAM CAKE DAY | JUNE 27
National Ice Cream Cake Day on June 27th each year brings two celebration favorites together under one delicious treat! And in the height of summer, an ice cream cake creates the perfect dessert for just about any occasion.
#NationalIceCreamCakeDay
Ice cream cake makers build these treats out of any flavor of ice cream into the shape of a cake. And they can add many different ingredients, too. Whether you like cookie crumbs, sponge cake, fudge, fruit, or caramel between the layers, they make delicious things happen. Then they take it a step further with the decorating. They begin by adding frosting, whipped cream, or icing. Just like baked cakes, ice cream cakes are decorated to fit any theme or celebration.
Although the origin of the ice cream cake remains somewhat of a mystery, there’s no doubting this popular dessert combines two classics. Between the classic summer treat, ice cream, and the time-honored celebratory cake, the ice cream cake becomes one of culinary history’s favorite combinations.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ICE CREAM CAKE DAY
Order an ice cream cake from your favorite bakery or make your own to share with friends. Whether it’s for the baseball team or your favorite hairdresser, ice cream cakes come in all sizes to fit the celebration. And while you’re celebrating, be sure to give a shout out to your favorite ice cream cake maker, too. We would love to see photos of your creations and learn your favorite flavor combinations. Let us know by using #NationalIceCreamCakeDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL ICE CREAM CAKE DAY HISTORY
The Jurado Family and Cupcakes for a Cause submitted National Ice Cream Cake Day in May of 2018.
On June 22, 2018, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed celebration to be observed on June 27th annually.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY | JUNE 26
Each year on June 26th, National Chocolate Pudding Day gets us all excited for a serving of this creamy dessert. Children and adults alike love chocolate pudding and have done so for generations. Usually eaten as a snack or dessert, chocolate pudding is also used as a filling for chocolate creme pie.
#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Chocolate pudding is usually made with milk and sugar, flavored with chocolate and vanilla then thickened with flour or cornstarch. However, some recipes do use eggs when making the pudding. Historically, chocolate pudding is a variation of chocolate custard, using starch as a thickener instead of eggs. The 1903 edition of Mary Harris Frazer’s Kentucky Receipt Book and the 1918 edition of Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School Cook Book, both printed recipes for the earlier version, using both eggs and flour.
In 1934, General Foods (Jello) introduced a chocolate pudding mix as “Walter Baker’s Dessert.” However, in 1936, they renamed it “Pickle’s Pudding.”
Chocolate pudding can be purchased ready-made and sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. The popular brands include Jell-O by the Kraft Foods Corporation and Snack Pack by Hunt’s.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY
Enjoy some delicious Chocolate Pudding as a dessert or as a snack. Try this homemade Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding recipe. Layer it with broken cookies or candy bars, and whipped cream to create a trifle dessert. You can also use chocolate pudding to make parfaits.
If you’re tackling homemade chocolate pudding, we have a few tips to share. Read 5 Tips to Making the Best Homemade Pudding. They also apply to other creamy desserts like mousse and custard. You’ll really be ready to Celebrate Every Day!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy chocolate pudding? Let us know using #NationalChocolatePuddingDay on social media.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this dessert holiday.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY
Enjoy some delicious Chocolate Pudding as a dessert or as a snack. Try this homemade Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding recipe. Layer it with broken cookies or candy bars, and whipped cream to create a trifle dessert. You can also use chocolate pudding to make parfaits.
If you’re tackling homemade chocolate pudding, we have a few tips to share. Read 5 Tips to Making the Best Homemade Pudding. They also apply to other creamy desserts like mousse and custard. You’ll really be ready to Celebrate Every Day!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy chocolate pudding? Let us know using #NationalChocolatePuddingDay on social media.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this dessert holiday.
NATIONAL STRAWBERRY PARFAIT DAY | JUNE 25
National Strawberry Parfait Day on June 25th comes around each year during the perfect time – peak strawberry season.
#NationalStrawberryParfaitDay
In fact, parfait is French for perfect. The traditional parfait is a dessert of ice cream or frozen custard layered with fruit and whipped cream in a tall stemmed glass. An additional topping of whipped cream garnishes the dessert. Today, we often replace the ice cream with yogurt or pudding and layers of granola.
Strawberries are not only in season during June, but they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber. At 55 calories and zero fat per 1 cup, these sweet things hit the spot when snack time is calling! When making parfaits, don’t just reserve them for dessert. If serving them with yogurt and granola, they make a delicious breakfast and snack, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL STRAWBERRY PARFAIT DAY
This celebration offers a terrific opportunity to explore your farmer’s markets for fresh-picked strawberries. Once you have the bounty home, make a homemade strawberry parfait to enjoy with all the wholesome ingredients you can add. Or indulge a little and make a traditional parfait with ice cream, whipped cream, and maybe a little chocolate syrup, too. We even have a recipe for you to try!
NATIONAL FUDGE DAY | June 16
National Fudge Day comes around each year on June 16th, allowing you to indulge in your favorite flavor of this delicious confectionery. Some of the most familiar fudge flavors are chocolate, chocolate nut, peanut butter, maple, and maple nut.
National Fudge Day is a day to enjoy the deliciousness of this decadent, sweet candy that is appreciated all over the world. It cannot be denied that celebrating this delicious, tasty treat is a great way to spend just about any day, especially on National Fudge Day!
Fudge is a soft, smooth confectionary that is made by mixing and then heating milk, butter and sugar. A variety of other ingredients can then be added to create assorted varieties and flavors of fudge. Some of the most popular flavors include chocolate and peanut butter, but there’s a whole world out there of fudge flavors that are waiting to be explored.
Exploring new flavors of fudge and sharing them with loved ones is what National Fudge Day is all about!
History of National Fudge Day
Fudge is thought to have been an American invention. The earliest documented mention of fudge can be found in a letter composed by Emelyn Hartridge, who was studying at the time at Vassar College, located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The letter detailed that fudge had been made and sold in a grocery store in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1886. At the time, the cost of 40 cents per pound of fudge. From here, word of chocolate fudge spread to other women’s colleges and eventually became very popular in the US.
In fact, many people believe that the first incidence of fudge may have been a mistake. It seems it could have been an intended batch of caramels that went awry, or “fudged”. That would make sense of the way we still use the term “fudging” something today.
National Fudge Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the delightful and delicious beauty of making and eating fudge!
How to Celebrate National Fudge Day
Celebrating National Fudge Day can come with all sorts of ideas, such as these:
Make a Batch of Fudge
On National Fudge Day, why not try making a batch of delicious fudge?
While some fudge recipes can be complicated and require the use of a candy thermometer, other easier recipes only need access to a microwave. A simple way to get tasty fudge in a short time is to use this basic recipe, creating a delicious treat to make and enjoy right in the kitchen at home!
Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe:
Melt three cups (700g) of chocolate chips along with fourteen ounces (400g) of sweetened condensed milk and ¼ cup (30g) of butter or margarine in a large bowl in the microwave.
Cook on medium heat for approximately four minutes, or until the chocolate chips have all melted, being sure to stir a couple of times during cooking. Put in a square glass cake pan and cool in the refrigerator.
While some fudge recipes can be complicated and require the use of a candy thermometer, other easier recipes only need access to a microwave. A simple way to get tasty fudge in a short time is to use this basic recipe, creating a delicious treat to make and enjoy right in the kitchen at home!
Easy Chocolate Fudge Recipe:
Melt three cups (700g) of chocolate chips along with fourteen ounces (400g) of sweetened condensed milk and ¼ cup (30g) of butter or margarine in a large bowl in the microwave.
Cook on medium heat for approximately four minutes, or until the chocolate chips have all melted, being sure to stir a couple of times during cooking.
Add in any extra ingredients (nuts, fruit, cookie crumbs, marshmallows, etc.) as desired and then stir well. Pour fudge mixture into a greased 8″x8″ glass dish and refrigerate until set. Simple, quick and tasty!
NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DAY | JUNE 12
Baking up some goodness on June 12th each year, National Peanut Butter Cookie Day celebrates the only cookie holiday in June. The day allows cookie lovers and peanut butter lovers to step away from the pies and cakes to indulge in a little peanut butter and cookie therapy.
#NationalPeanutButterCookieDay
Alabama’s American agricultural extension educator, George Washington Carver, promoted the peanut extensively. Well-known for his promotions, Carver compiled 105 peanut recipes from various cookbooks, agricultural bulletins, and other sources. In 1916, he created a Research Bulletin called How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption. The bulletin included three recipes calling for crushed or chopped peanuts as one of its ingredients. However, peanut butter cookies were not one of them.
It was in the early 1920s peanut butter began to be listed as an ingredient in cookies.
Incidentally, The peanut butter we know and love today didn’t become commercially available until the 1920s. In 1922, Joseph Rosefield kept the peanut oil from separating from the solids through this process. Afterward, he patented the process of homogenization and sold it to a company that began making a peanut butter called Peter Pan.
No one knows why we press crisscrossed fork marks into our peanut butter cookies before baking. However, homemade peanut butter cookies would just not be the same without a bit of decoration.
But peanut butter is also an extremely useful ingredient in the kitchen, added to savory meals or sweet desserts. Today, the featured baked good is the rich and tasty peanut butter cookie!
Peanut butter cookies are yummy snacks that can be enjoyed any time, but especially on National Peanut Butter Cookie Day.
History of National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Peanut butter goes back pretty far into history. It has been discovered that the ancient Aztecs and Incas made a paste by mashing roasted peanuts, and that seems to have been the first known instance of the use of peanut butter. Of course, it took quite some time after the ancient Aztecs and Incas for peanut butter to turn into peanut butter cookies.
Peanut butter cookies have been popular since the early 1900s. In fact, in 1913 the wife of the 28th US President, Woodrow Wilson, published a list of her cookie recipes, which generously included a recipe for Peanut Cookies that, of course, used peanut butter
NATIONAL ICED TEA DAY | JUNE 10
National Iced Tea Day on June 10th each year celebrates one of summer’s favorite drinks. Whether you prefer sweetened or unsweetened, with or without lemon, many love and enjoy iced tea by the glass full all summer long.
#NationalIcedTeaDay
Creating your custom iced tea is as easy as adding a hint of flavor. Whether you add a squeeze of lemon or the juice of raspberries, lime, passion fruit, strawberry, or cherry, make your iced tea your way.
An alternative to carbonated soft drinks and quite popular in the United States, iced tea makes up about 85% of all tea consumed. Restaurants, convenience stores, vending machines, grocery stores and self-serve soda fountains make finding iced tea easy and convenient.
Recipes for iced tea have been found dating back to the 1870s. The Buckeye Cookbook, published in 1876, and Housekeeping in Old Virginia, published in 1877, both contain iced tea recipes. It is believed, however, that iced tea started to appear in the United States in the 1860s and became widespread in the 1870s. During that time, hotels offered iced tea on their menus and railroad stations offered the beverage as well. In 1904, the beverage was introduced at the World’s Fair in St. Louis causing its popularity to explode.
HOW TO OBSERVE National Iced Tea Day
Brew and enjoy a glass of iced tea with friends. With so many ways to brew iced tea, it’s become more convenient than ever, too. Create your favorite flavors by adding mint, lemon or fruit. Enjoy a drink during lunch at your favorite restaurant. We even have two recipes for you to try:
Are you looking for iced tea deals to celebrate? We have them! Check out the Celebration Deals page for more information. If you have deals, use the Contact Us link, and we’ll get yours added.
While enjoying your iced tea, be sure to share on social media using #NationalIcedTeaDay.
NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY | JUNE 2
On June 2nd each year, chicken lovers celebrate National Rotisserie Chicken Day. While there a numerous ways to cook a whole chicken, rotisserie chicken offers a slow cooking method that seals in flavor.
#RotisserieChickenDay
When cooking chicken using a rotisserie chicken, the whole chicken is cooked on a rotisserie or spit that turns continuously over a heat source. This process slowly roasts and sears the skin to seal in the flavor. The result is a tender and juicy chicken. Some cooks inject rotisserie chicken with a blend of seasonings to give increase the flavor. The popularity of rotisserie chicken continues to grow as the health benefits of it become more widely known.
Rotisserie chicken goes well with a variety of side dishes, too. Whether you like traditional salads, potatoes, rice, and steamed vegetables, or more elaborate dishes, you will not go wrong. You can even use the leftovers in many ways, including salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. It is just as delicious cold as it is hot, too.
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day – May 26, 2022
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day is celebrated every year on May 26. It is a day dedicated to the blueberry cheesecake, one of the most popular desserts in the U.S. Although originating in ancient Greece, cheesecakes have today spread to the far corners of the world and each region has its own varieties of cheesecakes. One such very popular variety is the blueberry cheesecake.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE DAY
Cheesecake is a rich dessert cake made with cream and soft cheese on a graham cracker, cookie, or pastry crust. Often, it is topped with a fruit compote or puree.
Every year on May 26, people all around the U.S. celebrate National Blueberry Cheesecake Day. Legend has it that blueberry cheesecakes were fed to the athletes at the Olympic Games in Greece. It is a historical dessert that has been carried on through centuries without losing popularity.
While cheesecakes can be traced back to ancient Greece, the cheesecakes that people eat now are a more recent innovation. People have come up with different kinds of interesting flavors for cheesecakes but May 26 is the celebration of the classic blueberry cheesecake.
As cheesecakes spread to different countries, more ingredients were added and different varieties began popping up. While in America, cream cheese is the primary ingredient for cheesecakes, Italians prefer to use ricotta. On the other hand, Germany and Poland use quark, a special kind of curd cheese.
As cheesecakes became localized with time, bakers thought of newer innovations for it. One of the most popular innovations was the addition of fruit to cheesecakes and perhaps the best of them all was the sweet and enticing blueberries!
Blueberry cheesecakes, too, come in a number of varieties. Some of the most unique blueberry cheesecakes include blueberry mint cheesecakes, chocolate blueberry cheesecakes, and kombucha blueberry cheesecakes!
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