Food holidays are considered the "national day" of food in America. It is an opportunity for people to freely enjoy foods they do not eat often, and it is also an opportunity for restaurants and stores to promote their products. During these days, dishes that are honored will be discounted, given away for free, or have many attractive promotions for customers.
These holidays have become very popular recently thanks to their appearance in newspapers, television programs, and especially social networks. Even though these are not officially approved by the Government, they are almost "unwritten rules" for the American people.
While some food holidays are made up, many have real historical roots. For example, Beer Day (April 7) marks the end of the U.S. prohibition on the production, transportation, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages; and the Salvation Army designated June 1 as Doughnut Day in 1938 to honor the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.
Here are some famous food holidays in America.
January 23 - Pie Day
Pie is one of the oldest baked goods, dating back to the Stone Age Egypt over 9,500 BC. It first became popular in the West after it appeared in The Oxford Companion to Food in 1303.
Pie Day was created in the mid-1970s by engineer, brewer, and longtime president of the Brewers Association, Charlie Papazian, after he declared his birthday, January 23, to be Pie Day. Since 1986, the holiday has been sponsored by the American Pie Council.
First Saturday in February - Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
The name of this holiday is "Ice Cream for Breakfast", meaning that people will eat ice cream instead of breakfast. Because ice cream is so popular in America that everyone wants to eat it at any time of the day, including breakfast, but since it is not healthy, if you only eat ice cream for breakfast one day a year, then... okay.
On this occasion, many ice cream shops in the US states have announced that they will use the money from selling ice cream on this day for charity. This is also considered one of the promotional strategies to increase the revenue of ice cream shops because February in the US is winter so there are usually few customers buying ice cream in the cold weather.
February 9 - Bagel Day
Bagels originated in the Polish Jewish community and have become a popular American breakfast food. Traditionally, they are hand-formed into a circle from fermented wheat dough, boiled briefly, and then baked. On Bagel Day, many bakeries will offer buy-one-get-one-free promotions or give one away for free to certain customers.
February 27 - Strawberry Day
Strawberries are a favorite fruit of many people, so strawberries are used in many American dishes. Pictures of strawberry cakes and pies often appear in magazines and illustrations. Strawberry jam is also one of the most famous jams. So much so that Americans have set aside a day each year to honor strawberries. On this holiday, not only fresh strawberries but all dishes made with strawberries are discounted.
July 6 - Fried Chicken Day
Fried Chicken Day is celebrated annually in the United States on July 6, although its origins are unclear. On this holiday, fried chicken is prepared and eaten in many different ways. Some famous fried chicken chains such as Church's Chicken, KFC and other restaurants such as Grandy's all have promotions for customers to buy fried chicken.
Some other food holidays:
January 24 - Peanut Butter Day
9/2 - Pizza Day
March 6 - Oreo Day
March 7 - Cereal Day
April 12 - Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
11/5 - day... Eat everything you want
May 16 - BBQ Day
June 3 - Egg Day
July 13 - French Fries Day
July 23 - Hot Dog Day
August 24 - Waffle Day
September 13 - Chocolate Day
October 17 - Spaghetti Day
November 4 - Candy Day
November 16 - Fast Food Day
December 15 - Cupcake Day
December 21 - Hamburger Day
