MAIZE DAY
Maize Day, on the day after Thanksgiving, recognizes the importance of a plant common across the Americas.
The day is set aside for all Americans, regardless of heritage, to celebrate corn’s traditional role on the North American continent.
While other plant life was transplanted and imported, corn was common across the Americas. It was a central food source used by all the nations and an essential part of their everyday diet. The day also celebrates the traditional crops and foods of Native Americans.
There are many varieties of maize. Depending on the kind of maize, it may make delicious corn tortillas. Others are best roasted and eaten on the cob. And of course, some kinds of maize make perfect popping corn.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MaizeDay
Serve a meal featuring ingredients used by Native Americans. There is quite a bounty of food to choose from, too.
The rivers, lakes, and oceans supply a variety of delicious fish. Enjoy some salmon, bluegill, trout, or channel catfish with your sweet corn tonight. All across the country, our gardens grow many vibrant and tasty squash full of texture and flavor. Perhaps a corn and zucchini salad will make it on the menu. We also grow beans, asparagus, tomatoes, and of course, maize.
In our fields and on our trees, we grow so many varieties of nuts. Some of them grow wild still. We also pluck from the trees sweet persimmons, and in the fields, we’ve carefully tended the hives where the bees make the honey. Together, honey and corn make an irresistible honey butter skillet. Cattails, dandelions, mushrooms, and chicory delight our meals with seasonal goodness, much like the corn we savor on the grill or ground for our tortillas. Which one will you try tonight? Use #MaizeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL MAIZE DAY HISTORY
Artist Corinne Lightweaver started national Maize Day in 2004.
This holiday began as a small research project through which I intended—with my family—to commemorate the United States holiday of Thanksgiving through the viewpoint of the indigenous people. – Corinne Lightweaver
Maize FAQ
Q. What products are made from corn?
A. This versatile grain provides a variety of food uses including cereals, sweeteners such as corn syrup, starches, and oils. But we also derive many other products from corn. It’s also used in textiles, cosmetics, pyrotechnics, and medicines.
Q. Where is corn grown?
A. While corn is native to North America and the United States is its largest producer, other countries grow corn, too. Some of the highest producers outside North America include China, Ukraine, and India.
DATES:
25 November 2022
24 November 2023
29 November 2024
28 November 2025
27 November 2026
26 November 2027
24 November 2028
23 November 2029
29 November 2030
27 November 2031