NATIONAL PLUM PUDDING DAY
Also known as Christmas pudding, National Plum Pudding Day celebrates a traditional holiday dessert. On February 12th, learn about this tasty treat with an interesting history.
#NationalPlumPuddingDay
Plum pudding is made by steaming or boiling and the pudding is usually served during the holiday season. Interestingly, many of the recipes don’t even contain any plums. One explanation given is that during the 17th century, plums were referred to as raisins or other fruits.
The name Christmas pudding is first recorded in 1858 in a novel by Anthony Trollope.
Plum pudding is usually made up of nutmeg, raisins, nuts, apples, cinnamon, and dates, along with other ingredients. In England, traditionally every person in the home holds onto the wooden spoon together to help stir the batter. While they are stirring, they also make a wish! Plum pudding has also been known to be called plum duff.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PLUM PUDDING DAY
- Have some plum pudding!
- Make homemade plum pudding.
- Invite someone to enjoy plum pudding with you.
- Use #NationalPlumPuddingDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL PLUM PUDDING DAY HISTORY
We stuck our thumb into every possible origin story and only pulled out a plum.
Plum Pudding FAQ
Q. Why is it called plum pudding when it’s more like a cake?
A. The terms cake and pudding were once interchangeable. During the Victorian era, anything containing dried fruits was called cakes or puddings.
Q. Is plum pudding sweet?
A. Plum pudding can be either savory or sweet.
Q. What is the rhyme where a boy puts his thumb in a cake and pulls out a plum?
A. The title of the Mother Goose rhyme is called “Little Jack Horner” and it goes like this:
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas Pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, “What a good boy am I!”
February 12th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) History
1909
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded.
1915
The ground is broken on the Lincoln Memorial.
2001
NASA’s NEAR spacecraft lands on the asteroid 433 Eros. It’s the first time a human-made object lands on an asteroid.
1985
Diamonds become the second hardest substance when General Electric Company announces the creation of Borazon. Dr. Robert H. Wentorf Jr. synthesized cubic boron nitride to create the substance which is used in manufacturing for grinding hard surfaces.
February 12th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Louisa Catherine Adams – 1775
The 6th First Lady of the United States was born in the United Kingdom. As the wife of John Quincy Adams, Louisa Adams traveled far and wide before and after his election to the White House.
Charles Darwin – 1809
The English naturalist is best known for his theory of evolution and his book On the Origin of Species.
Abraham Lincoln – 1809
In 1860, the American attorney was elected the 16th President of the United States. He saw the country through the American Civil War and was re-elected to a second term in 1864. On April 15, 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln while he was attending a play at Ford’s Theatre. He died five days later.
Omar Bradley – 1893
The five-star general’s active duty career spanned 69 years, 8 months, and 7 days – longer than any active duty service member in the history of the United States Armed Forces. Bradley graduated from West Point in 1915. He commanded the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, and served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Judy Blume – 1938
The American writer is best known for her children’s and young adult books including Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Fudge, Blubber, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Honorable Mention
James Fields Smathers – 1888
Todd Duncan – 1905
William Russell – 1934
David Small – 1945
Christina Ricci – 1980
