NATIONAL EAT A HOAGIE DAY | SEPTEMBER 14
National Eat a Hoagie Day on September 14th promotes a sandwich which is also known as a grinder, sub or hero. You can also order a po’boy, torpedo or an Italian sandwich to celebrate!
#NationalHoagieDay
The hoagie consists of meats, cheeses, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings on a long roll of Italian or French bread.
However, the origin of this giant sandwich is a bit of a mystery. The epicenter of the controversy seems to be eastern Pennsylvania between the DiCostanzas and DePalma’s. Both lay claim to being the first to make the hoagie. One family claims to have been making the sandwich since 1923 and the other since 1925. But who has the proof?
Another story from the Philadelphia area takes place during World War I. It describes shipyard workers bringing large Italian sandwiches to work wrapped in newspaper. The large sandwiches helped the workers through their long, grueling workdays. In fact, the workers nicknamed the massive sandwiches “hoggies” because anyone eating them at one sitting would have to be a hog. The Philadelphia accent explains the transformation of the word. The dialect often exaggerates the vowel sounds changing “hoggies” to “hoagies” quite easily.
One story talks out of school – almost literally. At one time, if a kid skipped school it was called being “on the hook” or “playing hokey.” A “hokey” sandwich could be bought for a price a kid on the lam could afford. Eventually “hokey” became “hoagie” especially if the kids were skipping school.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOAGIE DAY
Make your favorite hoagie combination. It’s also ok to take a picture of your masterpiece and share it with all the world. Hoagies are colorful, beautiful meals and should be documented for posterity. Hoagie lovers live on the wild side. Add jalapeno to your sandwich and post your “HOT” new trend. Call it “Hoagies Gone Wild!” or “Hottie Hoagies!” And for the love of photography, send those food selfies to us. It might just grace our Facebook banner! Who knows, we might even send a free gift to the person who sends us the best glamor shot or video of that hot jalapeno hoagie. Don’t doubt. It could happen.
And, if you didn’t make it but your favorite sandwich shop did, be sure to give them a shout-out full of all the wonderful hashtags that go with it. Like this one >>>> #NationalHoagieDay.
NATIONAL EAT A HOAGIE DAY HISTORY
The origins of National Hoagie Day are unknown. But that won’t stop us from enjoying the best hoagie we can find!
Hoagie FAQ
Q. What’s the difference between a hoagie and a sub sandwich?
A. It’s mostly about the bread. The hoagie is made using a sturdier, hard roll and is cut only part of the way through – like a hot dog bun. The sub sandwich uses a softer bun (like a hot dog bun) but is sliced all the way through.
Q. Are there other sandwich holidays on the calendar?
A. Betcha a hoagie there is! Here’s a short list of the many sandwich days on the calendar:
Cuban Sandwich Day
Monte Cristo Day
Kraut Sandwich Week
Sandwich Day
French Dip Day
Cheesesteak Day
September 14th Celebrated History
1716
Boston Light, the first lighthouse in the United States shined its light from Little Brewster Island in Boston. While the original lighthouse was destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War, the lighthouse was rebuilt and is currently the second oldest functioning lighthouse in the United States.
1814
While anchored on a British ship off the coast of Baltimore, MD, Francis Scott Key writes the poem that becomes the National Anthem of the United States.
1901
President William McKinley dies after an assassin shoots him at point-blank range. His vice president, Theodore Roosevelt is sworn in and becomes the youngest man to hold the office.
1923
Before 80 thousand fans, Jack Dempsey knocks out Luis Angel Firpo in the second round. Firpo (known as The Bull of the Pampas) was the first Latin American fighter to challenge a world heavyweight titleholder. At the time of the fight, Dempsey had held the title for 4 years. He would maintain the title for 2 more years before losing it to Jess Willard.
1939
Igor Sikorsky flies the first practical helicopter. The tethered flight took place in Stratford, CT.
1959
The Soviet spacecraft, Luna 2, impacts the moon. It was the first spacecraft to strike the moon or any other body in the solar system.
1963
The first surviving quintuplets in America are born. The doctor informed the parents only days before the delivery that Mary Ann Fischer would deliver five babies.
1984
The Video of the Year goes to The Cars for “You Might Think” during the very first MTV Video Music Awards.
1984
Covering 3,543 miles, Jo Kittinger completes the first solo transatlantic flight in a gas balloon. The trip took him 86 hours.
1985
The television sitcom, The Golden Girls, debuted on NBC.
2014
The Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA, hosted 902 balloon tossers to break a world record.
September 14th Celebrated Birthdays
Charles Dana Gibson – 1867
The artist and illustrator is best known for his Gibson Girls drawings which were modeled after his wife.
Alice Tully – 1902
Following her classical singing career, Tully flew scouting missions during World War II. She would pursue philanthropic service in the world of arts and finance Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Mae Boren Axton – 1914
The publicist and songwriter co-wrote the chart-making song “Heartbreak Hotel” which made Elvis Presley a household name.
Joyce Chen – 1917
The Chinese-American chef made a name for herself as she taught Americans to appreciate Chinese cuisine. Through her PBS television show, restaurant and cookbooks, Chen brought delicious sauces, spices and cooking techniques to the American public.
Constance Baker Motley – 1921
Motley was a woman of many firsts – the first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate, the first woman and African-American chosen as Manhattan Borough President, and the first African-American woman nominated to Federal Court judge.
Jo Ann Boyce – 1941
The civil rights activist was one of 12 black teenagers who integrated Clinton High School in Clinton, Tennessee in 1956.