Category: July 14

  • NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY | Second Friday in July

    NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY | Second Friday in July

    On the second Friday in July, we recognizes an American favorite known as the French fry on National French Fry Day.

    #NationalFrenchFryDay

    French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips, or French-fried potatoes, are batons of deep-fried potatoes. No matter what we call them, they’re common fixtures at fast-food restaurants and are loved by all ages!

    What are the best dipping sauces for French fries? Dipping sauces are a condiment choice based on personal preference. Though most people eat their fries with ketchup, some people like to step outside the tomato and choose something different. You can try anything you like, but we recommend:

    • Ranch dressing
    • Vinegar
    • Mayonnaise
    • Honey mustard
    • Cheese

    Beyond the condiments, chefs and home cooks sprinkle seasonings to add flavor and spice to their fries. Whether you add a little garlic and onion powder or spice it up Cajun style, a potato crisped just right will satisfy a combination of tastes. You can top them with chili or nacho cheese and jalapeños, too. Depending on the type of fries, we might top them with even more ingredients and call them all sorts of things.

    Delicious Alternatives

    French fries are not only for potatoes. In fact, there are healthier alternatives that make a delicious alternative to traditional French fries.

    • Sweet potatoes
    • Jicama Fries
    • Parsnips sliver fries
    • Baked carrot fries
    • Parmesan-Crusted Asparagus fries

    A Mission To Petition 

    In 2022, Checkers and Rally’s fast food restaurants went on a mission to petition National Day Calendar to change the date of National French Fry Day. Their goal was to change the July 13 date to the second Friday in July. Under advisement of Cal our Calendar Mascot, National Day Calendar changed the date. National French Fry Day would be celebrated each year on a Friday!

    efforts.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY

    • Bake your fries instead of frying.
    • Make homemade fries.
    • Create a new dish using French fries.
    • Try some Checkers and Rally fries.
    • Create a seasoning to top your fries.
    • Order French fries with your dinner when you are at a restaurant. 
    • Tag and post on social media using #NationalFrenchFryDay.

    NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY HISTORY

    We were unable to find the creator or origin of National French Fry Day, but we found some great history regarding French Fries.  For instance, the expression “French Fried Potatoes” first occurs in print in English in the 1856 work Cookery for Maids of All Work by E. Warren. 

    It is believed by some that the term “French” was introduced to the potatoes when the American soldiers arrived in Belgium during World War I and consequently tasted Belgian fries. Since French was the official language of the Belgian Army at that time, it is possible the American soldiers began calling the fried potatoes “French” fries.

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  • NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY – July 14

    NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY | JULY 14

    One of the classic comfort foods earns a place of honor on July 14th. It is National Mac and Cheese Day!

    #NationalMacAndCheeseDay

    Made with macaroni noodles, cream or milk, and the golden goodness of cheese, mac and cheese shines as a side dish while also standing on its own as a main dish. This meal reminds many of us of home while also teaching us the basics of the kitchen. What other recipes allow us to create so flamboyantly and often with so little knowledge about cooking?

    From the classic mac and cheese with cheddar or American cheeses to the spicy cowboy mac with bacon and jalapenos, there’s a combination for everyone. Mix up the cheeses or load up on seasonings. It’s easy to get a toasty crust by setting the broiler for a couple of minutes at the end of the cooking time.

    Mac and cheese offers a multitude of ways to enjoy it, too. As a soup, it warms us up after a long day. Stuff it inside a meatloaf or a burger for a meal made for a hungry, busy family. Roll up bite-sized bits in bread crumbs and deep fry for mouthwatering appetizers. Put your favorite mac and cheese between two slices of crusty bread. Then put into a panini press for some grilled yumminess. Whether we like it mild or spicy, mac and cheese has us covered.

    Besides being simple to make, mac and cheese enables us to experiment with other flavors we enjoy. We break into our kitchen skills with mac and cheese, and it makes us look good. Sometimes the can opener doesn’t do that. On July 14th, celebrate mac and cheese not only because we love to eat it, but because it taught us we can cook, too.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY

    Enjoy some mac and cheese! Experiment with different cheeses or try it with toppings. Don’t hesitate to break out of your normal routine. This is no time to be ho-hum. It’s a celebration of a food that’s not only convenient but is versatile and delicious, too. Use #NationalMacAndCheeseDay to share on social media.

    Do you love mac and cheese so much that you would love to see some deals? Check out the Celebration Deals page for all the latest info! Do you have a deal to add to the list? Contact us and we will get it added!

    NATIONAL MAC AND CHEESE DAY HISTORY

    We were unable to identify the creator of National Mac and Cheese Day.

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  • NATIONAL NUDE DAY – July 14

    NATIONAL NUDE DAY | JULY 14

    On July 14th, laundry is unnecessary. It’s National Nude Day! Enjoy an air bath or explore the naturist movement.

    #NationalNudeDay

    One thing is for sure, the observance offers a way to keep cool on a hot, sticky summer day. Nudist groups around the world celebrate this holiday and take it quite seriously, too! Nudists (also known as naturists) are not perverts, even though their desire to go au natural might be offensive to the conservative population. They are individuals who believe the human body is most beautiful in its natural state. Whether or not you agree with them, nudists encourage people to shed the restrictions of clothing and be natural.

    Noted for enjoying the natural state, Benjamin Franklin would reportedly take air baths by the open window of his room allowing the fresh air to drift around his birthday suit. The postmaster didn’t invent the naturist movement, nor did it take any particular nation by storm.

    Its observance is firmly planted during the middle of the summer months for a good reason; the Northern Hemisphere doesn’t mess around in January!

    Some of the obvious benefits of the lifestyle include lighter luggage when traveling for vacation and as mentioned before, smaller loads of laundry. There are other benefits, too. Without the shields of clothing, the wrinkles and sagging that come with time cannot be camouflaged. Acceptance becomes very real and normal and reassuring.

    However, wearing sunblock is still advisable during any outdoor activities. Watch out for poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Roses do have thorns, among many other plants and animals. When recommended, wear protective gear. Skateboarding comes to mind.

    Other related events taking place in July include International Skinny Dipping Day and International Nude Recreation Week.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NUDE DAY

    However you chose to celebrate this holiday, avoid breaking any Public Decency Laws. Learn about clothing-optional resorts and privacy fencing. Post on social media using #NationalNudeDay.

    NATIONAL NUDE DAY HISTORY

    The founder of National Nude Day is unknown. However, the holiday has origins in New Zealand.

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  • NATIONAL TAPE MEASURE DAY – July 14

    NATIONAL TAPE MEASURE DAY | JULY 14

    On July 14th, measuring twice means something extra on National Tape Measure Day.  

    #NationalTapeMeasureDay

    Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut made the lives of carpenters, electricians, seamstresses, and countless other tradesmen and craftsmen easier. On July 14, 1868, Fellows was granted a patent for “Improvements in Tape Measures” that created a whole new era for measurement. Enter the generation of retractable tape measures.  

    The first recorded use of the tape measure goes back to the Romans, utilizing marked strips of leather. Before Fellows’ patent, Englishman James Chesterman designed a steel measuring tape, but it was expensive for its time. At $17 in 1853, it was equivalent to $300 in today’s U.S. dollars. Chesterman’s big, bulky design didn’t fit in a pocket or even a toolbox. When Fellows’ patent came along, tape measures became the sliced bread of the toolbox. 

    The tape measure we know and use now comes in a wide array of sizes, colors, and materials. You can find some smaller than the palm of your hand or bigger in lengths of 300+ feet. They are used for anything from DIY projects at home, by contractors, and in construction and at a much lower price. They are a standard tool in almost every household.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL TAPE MEASURE DAY

    Purchase a tape measure and measure to your heart’s content. Keep one in your glove compartment, purse, junk drawer, backpack, and buy extra as gifts. They’re undeniably useful. Whenever space needs to be filled or a picture needs to be hung, a tape measure comes in handy. Who doesn’t have parts to replace? You need a tape measure for that. Do you have a honey-do list? Celebrate your tape measure. It’s summer, so there’s probably a watermelon seed spitting contest going on somewhere. Get out your tape measure! 

    Post on social media using #NationalTapeMeasureDay.

    Teachers, students and parents, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects designed to help you #CelebrateEveryDay!

    NATIONAL TAPE MEASURE DAY HISTORY

    We were unable to find the origin or the creator of National Tape Measure Day.

     

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  • COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY – Changes Annually

    COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY | CHANGES ANNUALLY

    Each year in on the second Friday in July we celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day. This day recognizes the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. 

    #CarCollectorAppreciationDay

    Americans have had a fascination with automobiles since the first U.S. horseless carriage was demonstrated in 1893 by the Duryea Motor Wagon Company. The romance of the motor took us from rough country roads to iconic highways and byways. We were also able to stretch our legs and cross the country more independently than ever before. The urge to go faster, fleeter and finer were inspirations for design and ingenuity. Additionally, assembly lines made cars more affordable.

    The appeal of the automobile influenced the American sense of adventure. Nostalgia, perseverance, and exploration are the topics of the day. Surprisingly, the automobile and the horse shared the road for a time causing much confusion. Stop signs and signal lights were non-existent. Rules of the road were not yet established. Still, motor companies began to tailor their designs to a public demanding a particular style.

    Today, the collectors of these bygone eras keep history and memories alive. They restore and maintain old metal, engines, and blinkers. Crank, push-button, or throttle starters once rusting in a barn rev to life. Specialists take great care to find the right part or color, and skilled artists put their hard labor to work restoring a single collector car. They spend hours on end painting, repairing, rebuilding, and welding to recreate the final result of a pristine collector car.

    This day recognizes those individuals dedicated to preserving a piece of American history. We associate each era with a certain car. Whether we ride in a Prohibition-era Cadillac Sedan, a 1950s era muscle car, or in our grandfather’s pickup truck, they take us back.

    HOW TO OBSERVE CAR COLLECTOR APPRECIATION DAY

    Give a shout out to a dedicated restorer you know. Recognize their talent and knowledge. Attend a collector car event or show. Share your tips and videos. While you’re celebrating, take a ride in your classic car. Post photos of your collector car on social media using #CollectorCarAppreciationDay.

    CAR COLLECTOR APPRECIATION DAY HISTORY

    Since 2009, SEMA Action Network (SAN) has sponsored Collector Car Appreciation Day. Per the request of The SEMA Action Network (SAN), each year the U.S. Senate has passed a Resolution helping to launch the day. For more information visit www.semasan.com.

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  • NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY – July 14

    NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY | JULY 14

    National Grand Marnier Day on July 14th recognizes a liquor that brings citrus notes to cocktails and desserts. Since the 1880s, we’ve been enjoying the fruits of Grand Marnier’s exquisite flavor. 

    #NationalGrandMarnierDay

    Alexander Marnier-Lapostolle invented the orange liquor in the 1880s. His grand experiment pairing fruit liquors with cognac took 10 years to find success. When it did, Lapostolle gave birth to one very expensive liquor. The cognac concoction blended one of the most costly fruits of the time with a very strong spirit, too. The result was truly grand. Not only does it add a splash of citrus when mixed into drinks and desserts, but Grand Marnier can be enjoyed neat. 

    Grand Marnier is used in a long list of desserts including liquor cream buns, Yule log, cranberry sauce, Crepes Suzette, and Grand Marnier souffle creme bruleé. Grand Marnier is also used in the sauce of the roasted duck dish, Canard a l’Orange.

    Some examples of the mixed drinks including Grand Marnier are Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Sidecar, Dirty Harry, Grand Mimosa, B-52, the Grand Marnier Smash, Grand Smash, Smash Marnier, Bloody Smash, Maced Marnier, Ace Marnier Smash,  Frosty Smash, Smace, Grand Hound, Blood Pug, Clarke, Nogley and the Grand Marnier Fireball.

    However, don’t stop at beverages and desserts. Add Grand Marnier for extra zest in your sauces and marinades. Your meat dishes will take center stage.

    HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY

    Enjoy a mixed drink with Grand Marnier. While you’re sipping your cocktail, why not make a dessert, too. We found some absolutely mouthwatering ones to try. Then, invite some friends over to celebrate the day with you. Remember to Celebrate Every Day® while you’re savoring your delicious dessert. Share it with your friends by posting #NationalGrandMarnierDay on social media. 

    Grand Marnier Sherbert
    Orange Marscapone Dip
    Grand Marnier Cake

    NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY HISTORY

    We were unable to locate the creator of National Grand Marnier Day.

     

    July 14th Celebrated History

    1789

    French revolutionaries storm the Bastille.

    1853

    The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations opened at the Crystal Palace in New York City. President Franklin Pierce attended the opening as well as thousands of others. The first World’s Fair hosted in the United States followed the London Exhibition from the previous year.

    1881

    Lincoln County New Mexico Sherriff Pat Garrett shoots and kills American outlaw William Bonney (AKA Billy the Kid).

    1969

    The film Easy Rider premiered in New York City. Directed by Dennis Hopper, the film followed two bikers across the country. The film starred Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson.

    July 14th Celebrated Birthdays

    Gertrude Bell – 1868

    The self-taught archeologist and Oxford graduate (the first woman to earn first degree honors there), Bell explored even the world’s mountain peaks as an experienced mountaineer. As a linguist, she served in the role of mediator, specifically in the Middle East and the Conference in Cairo.

    William Hannah – 1910

    William Hanna partnered with Joseph Barbera and created many of today’s classic animated cartoons. Starting with the successful  Tom & Jerry, the team would take us into the past with The Flinstones and fast forward us to the future with the Jetsons. Their studios would produce animated television shows well into the 2000s, including the popular Smurfs.

    Woody Guthrie – 1912

    Woody Guthrie’s folk music spoke to the working public. From his anthems to his poetic lullabies, Guthrie spoke and sang openly of the human condition or softly of its sweetest moments.

    Gerald Ford – 1913

    After the resignation of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford took the oath of office and became the 38th President of the United States.

    Ingmar Bergman – 1918

    The accomplished Swedish film director won his first Academy Award in 1961 for The Virgin Spring. In total, Bergman earned three Oscars, six Golden Globes and numerous international awards.

    Jane Lynch – 1960

    The award-winning American actress and comedian can be seen in the TV musical series Glee, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and several other shows and films.

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