NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY
On November 11th, National Sundae Day brings a celebration to ice cream lovers across the country. Enjoy one of every flavor and bring a friend!
An ice cream sundae typically consists of one or two scoops of ice cream topped with syrup or sauce. The sundae is often topped with whipped cream, maraschino cherry, sprinkles, pineapple or a variety of other toppings.
July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 7 – National Strawberry Sundae Day
Sundae History
While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is still 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 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. Ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath. Even so, Berners came up with a compromise. He served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda.
Additionally, he topped it with chocolate syrup. Given the day, he 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.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSundaeDay
Make yourself a sundae or go out with friends and order one. Another way to celebrate is by hosting a sundae bar. Invite your friends to bring their favorite toppings and begin creating some delicious desserts! Use #NationalSundaeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL SUNDAE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this cool and creamy celebration.
Sundae FAQ
Q. Is a banana split a sundae?
A. While the banana split qualifies as a sundae, not all sundaes are banana splits. Both desserts contain ice cream, whipped cream, and a type of sauce. However, unless your dish includes a banana split lengthwise down the middle, it’s just a sundae and not a banana split.
Q. I always run out of sauce before I finish eating my sundae. How can I make sure I have sauce on every bite of ice cream?
A. One of the reasons we love sundaes is because we can top them with chocolate, strawberry, caramel, or any number of our favorite sauces. If you run out of sauce before you run out of ice cream, we have the perfect solution. Drizzle a couple of teaspoons of your favorite sauce into the bottom of the bowl before adding the ice cream. Then top the whole sundae with more sauce.
November 11th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History
1921
President Warren G. Harding presides over the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery. Sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones designed the tombstone and it is the most hallowed grave at Arlington National Cemetery.
1926
With a rising number of car owners across the nation, the establishment of the United States Numbered Highway System improved navigation along the nation’s highways and bi-ways. Before the numbering system, existing roads were named and maintained by trail associations with no standard from state to state or region to region.
1940
Jeep makes its Army debut when Willys-Overland delivers the 4×4 prototype.
1946
The New York Knickerbockers squared off against the Chicago Stags in their first-ever home game in Madison Square Gardens. Despite the losing 78-68, an attendance of 17,205 assured future home games for the young team in the venue.
November 11th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
John T Dorrance -1873
In 1897, the young chemist developed a process for condensing soup. He was working for the Joseph A Campbell Preserve Company at the time, and the rest is history.
George Patton – 1885
The military leader served in the United States Army during both World War I and World War II. When he died in 1945 in Heidelberg, Germany, Patton was a four-star general.
Daisy Lee Gaston – 1914
As a journalist and civil rights activist, Bates served as a powerful voice for integration. Her activism in Little Rock, AR played a significant role in recording the resistance to integration.
Anna Schwartz – 1915
Schwartz’s contributed more than seventy years to economic research during her career. Throughout her career, she earned a reputation for her economic expertise and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
Madeleine Damerment – 1917
During World War II, Damerment served as a spy for the French Resistance. In 1943, Nazi guards captured her and held her captive for nearly a year. She was executed with three other female spies in 1944.
Evelyn Wawryshyn – 1924
One of the best players in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League brushed off the first offer from a scout. However, six seasons later playing second base and hitting .266 brought Wawryshyn a career to remember.
