NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED NUT DAY
National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day on February 25th recognizes the delicious and crunchy snack drizzled, covered, dunked, or smothered in chocolate. The possibilities are endless with so many different types of nuts and chocolate combinations.
#ChocolateCoveredNutDay
For thousands of years, nuts have been a staple of the human diet. The walnut was a favorite of the ancient Greeks and Romans, while Native Americans favored pecans.
Both chocolate and nuts can be good for you. Dark chocolate possesses a substantial amount of antioxidants, while the nuts contain essential fatty acids and linolenic acids. For the most part, the fats in nuts are unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated fats. Nuts also provide arginine, a substance that may help make the walls of the arteries more flexible and less prone to blockage from blood clot formation. Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2 and are rich in protein, folate, fiber, and essential minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and selenium.
The first chocolate-covered peanut candy was Goobers, originally sold in 1925. The word “Goober” was a common slang word for peanut.
One of the more recognized chocolate-covered nuts is the M & M. These chocolate-covered peanuts or chocolate-covered almonds have become a favorite of many. The peanut M & M was introduced in 1954. They were tan until 1960 when the colors red, yellow, and green were added to production.
HOW TO OBSERVE CHOCOLATE-COVERED NUT DAY
- Eat a chocolate-covered nut.
- Visit your favorite candy or chocolate shop and pick up some chocolate-covered nuts.
- Make chocolate-covered nuts at home.
- Give a gift of chocolate-covered nuts.
- Have a taste test using different nuts and different chocolates.
- Use #ChocolateCoveredNutDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-COVERED NUT DAY HISTORY
While we continue to seek the origins of this day, we’re not withholding any reward. Chocolate, with or without nuts, is a staple snack in the National Day Calendar offices. That doesn’t mean we won’t stop looking for the founder of the day. It just means, it might be helpful if the answer was at the bottom of a bag of Brach’s chocolate-covered peanuts.
Chocolate-Covered Nut FAQ
Q. Do nut clusters count on this holiday?
A. Yes. Nut clusters are chocolate-covered nuts in small patty or clusters. They sometimes include other ingredients like caramel or nougat.
Q. What other kinds of food get covered in chocolate?
A. Many goods taste delicious covered in chocolate. For example:
- Pretzels
- Potato Chips
- Fruit
- Coffee Beans
- Cookies
- Bacon
- Caramel
- Donuts
- Graham Crackers
- Ice cream
- Marshmallows
February 25th Celebrated History
1836
William Austin Burt received patent no. 9,428 for the invention of the solar compass. While surveying iron-rich land that would soon become the Wisconsin Territory, the American innovator and surveyor continually had troubles with his magnetic compass. His invention of the solar compass solved the problem. Also known as an astronomical compass would become the standard of the surveying trade.
1857
Among the rules and regulations adopted by the Convention of Base Ball Clubs, it is agreed that a game consists of nine innings to each team. A tie score continues the game, granting an equal number of innings to each team until one earns a majority of runs, thus concluding the game. Before the 1857 rules, play continued until 21 “aces” or runs were attained.
1870
Hiram Rhodes Revels is sworn into the United States Senate representing Mississippi. He is the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
1930
Do you have that on file? Thanks to George Lewis McCarthy’s invention the Checkograph, patent no. 1,748,489, banks made photographic records of checks before returning them to their customers. Kodak would later purchase McCarthy’s patent and apply the product to other archival systems such as libraries and newspapers, beginning with the New York Times. And so began the era of microfilm.
1940
The New York Rangers toppled the Montreal Canadiens at home in Madison Square Gardens during the first televised hockey game. NBC won the honors to air the 6-2 win on the ice.
1951
Buenos Aires hosted the opening ceremonies of the first Pan American Games.
1964
In a technical knockout, Cassius Clay claims the world heavyweight boxing title from Sonny Liston in the seventh round.
February 25th Celebrated Birthdays
Pierre Auguste Renoir – 1841
The French Impressionist painter was known for his real-life scenes in Paris. He also worked along with other accomplished Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet.
Ida Lewis – 1842
Lighthouses hold a fascinating charm for many people. They collect them, plan vacations so they can tour as many of them as possible. A lighthouse carries a wealth of history and symbolism. From the day it was erected, it stands as a torch lighting the way and protecting ships from the shores. Idawalley Lewis was the lighthouse keeper at Lime Rock Light in Newport, Rhode Island, for 32 years, and before that, she lived there with her parents who were the lighthouse keepers before her. Throughout her lifetime, even as a child, she kept an alert eye on the sea and those in danger. As a result, Ida rescued 36 people from the ocean’s depths and her rescues began at the young age of 12 years old.
Ida Noddack – 1896
In 1925, the German chemist and physicist along with her husband Walter Noddack and Otto Berg discovered rhenium, atomic symbol Re. In 1925, the German chemist and physicist along with her husband Walter Noddack and Otto Berg discovered rhenium, the atomic symbol Re. Since the silvery-white metal withstands corrosion, it’s used industrially for electrical contact material and filaments for a variety of uses such as flash photography, ovens, and medical imaging.
Anthony Burgess – 1917
The prolific British author and playwright is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange. However, Anthony Burgess also dabbled in fantasy, historical fiction, comedy, short stories, and more. Some of the titles include The Pianoplayers, Any Old Iron, Abba Abba, and Nothing Like the Sun: A story of Shakespeare’s Love Life.
Bob Schieffer – 1937
With a broadcast career spanning more than 6 decades, Schieffer has reported under 13 presidents. His Washington D.C. experience made him an ideal choice as moderator for several presidential debates. He’s also served as an anchor for the long-running CBS broadcast Face the Nation.
George Harrison – 1943
The quiet Beatle was the lead guitarist with the Fab Five. In 1964, they successfully invaded the United States and in 1970, they parted ways. Harrison, like the other Beatles, pursued a solo career. During his career as a Beatle, Harrison wrote “Here Come’s the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Eleanor Rigby.”
Notable Mentions
Lesya Ukrainka – 1871
Carrot Top – 1965
Sean Astin – 1971
