NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY | AUGUST 4
On August 4th, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day gives us an opportunity to dunk America’s #1 favorite cookie. Whether yours are homemade or storebought, pour a glass of milk and enjoy.
#ChocolateChipCookieDay
Without chocolate chips, the cookie would still be number one. Or would it?
For that reason, we also recognize Ruth Graves Wakefield on National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Thanks to her inventiveness and curiosity, chocolate chips and a cookie dough go together. And for this reason, we hover around ovens savoring the moment the timer dings.
How the Chocolate Chip Cookie Began
Imagine if Ruth Graves Wakefield hadn’t run out of baker’s chocolate for her cookie recipe that day in 1937. Because that’s what happened. The cookie recipe she was preparing called for baker’s chocolate and would have blended smoothly into the dough. However, she was out. And what if Mrs. Wakefield hadn’t considered using semi-sweet chocolate instead? She figured it would just melt into the dough and work much like the baker’s chocolate.
Or, what if someone had interrupted Ruth Graves Wakefield that day and caused the cookies to burn and ruin the experiment?
Well, none of that happened. Instead of interruptions or doubts, the baker added the chocolate to the dough. Moments later the mouthwatering aroma began to waft from Mrs. Wakefield’s oven. Perhaps the smell lured a child into the kitchen. Or maybe a guest at the Tollhouse Inn she and her husband owned. We may not know the finer details of the day the chocolate chip cookie came to be. However, we do know Ruth Graves Wakefield made it happen.
And if it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t know the ecstasy of warm chocolate chip cookie melting on our tongue. We know that feeling. When our eyes close in heavenly satisfaction and a perfect smile graces our face. No, if it weren’t for Ruth Graves Wakefield, entire generations would be denied the bliss that is a chocolate chip cookie.
We could even go so far as to say she is responsible for all those other nuggets of goodness. Those morsels of butterscotch, peanut butter, and white chocolate we enjoy in much the same way we enjoy our chocolate delights. Nothing, though, rates quite as high as the chocolate chip cookie Ruth Graves Wakefield brought to us in 1937. No, nothing.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY
Make your favorite chocolate chip cookies and throw some extra chocolate chips into the mix! Give this recipe a try. Other ways to celebrate the day include:
- Read the book Ruth Graves Wakefield: One Smart Cookie by Sarah Howden
- Visit your favorite bakery and give them a shout out, too.
- Organize a chocolate chip cookie bake-off. It could even be a fundraiser for a local charity.
- Try recipes from Ruth Wakefield’s Toll House: Tried and True Recipes.
Post on social media using #ChocolateChipCookieDay.
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY HISTORY
We were unable to find the origins of this holiday.
RELEVANT OBSERVANCES
Need more cookie days to celebrate? Check out these!
Oatmeal Cookie Day
Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Sugar Cookie Day
Pecan Cookie Day
Spicy Hermit Cookie Day
Gingerbread Cookie Day
Oreo Cookie Day
Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
August 4th Celebrated History
1790
The U.S. Coast Guard is established, serving as the only U.S. force on the seas at the time.
1821
The Saturday Evening Post publishes its first edition. Printed on a press previously operated by Benjamin Franklin, the Saturday Evening Post was stylized after The Pennsylvania Gazette, also printed by Franklin.
1870
Red Cross forms in Britain as the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War.
1919
Musée Rodin (Rodin Museum) opens in Paris displaying the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
1944
Two years after she went into hiding from the Nazis, Anne Frank and her family are arrested.
1956
German Wilhelm Herz breaks a motorcycle land speed record by when he achieves 210 miles per hour at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
1971
Pitcher Bob Gibson wins his 200th game in a home game in St. Louis. The final score was 7-2 against the San Francisco Giants.
1984
Carl Lewis earns his first gold medal at the Los Angels Olympics. He ran the 100-meter sprint in 9.99 seconds.
1984
“Purple Rain” hits #1 on the music charts. The Minnesota pop-rocker, Prince released the song on July 14th.
August 4th Celebrated Birthdays
Percy Bysshe Shelley – 1792
Known for his romantic poetry, Shelley would also gain a reputation as a rebel.
Louis Vuitton – 1821
Making a name for himself as a fashion designer, Vuitton launched his brand in 1854.
Queen Elizabeth II – 1900
The Queen Mother held her reign longer than any other British monarch.
Louis Armstrong – 1901
Also known as Satchmo, Armstrong’s five-decade career included jazz songs like “Wonderful World”, “Hello, Dolly,” and “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.” The talented musician played trumpet and his voice provided a one-of-a-kind sound.
Helen Thomas – 1920 Journalist
Thomas served in the White House press corps and her career spanned presidents from Kennedy to Obama.
Elsberry Hobbs – 1936
Hobbs played bass for the Drifters from 1959 – 1966.
Mary Decker – 1958
During her career, Decker appeared in four Olympics, and she’s the only athlete to achieve U.S. records in every distance between 800 meters to 10,000 meters.
Barack Obama – 1961
Serving two terms as the 44th President of the United States, he is also the first Black U.S. president.
Roger Clemens – 1962
As a pitcher, Clemens played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball. Due to his powerful pitches, he earned the name “Rocket.”
Lori Lightfoot – 1962
Upon her election to Chicago’s mayor in 2019, Lightfoot became the first African-American woman elected to the office.
Daniel Dae Kim – 1968
Known for his roles in the television shows Lost and Hawaii Five-0, Kim is also a voice actor and producer.
Jeff Gordon – 1971
The former professional stock car driver earned a long list of honors. Gordon now announces for Fox NASCAR.
Meghan Markle – 1981
Sharing a birthday with the Queen Mother, Markle joined the British Royal Family when she and Prince Harry married.