NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY
National Waffle Day on August 24th commemorates the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent issued. Celebrate by savoring your favorite kind of waffle!
On August 24, 1869, Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received his patent for the waffle iron. While waffles existed long before then, the invention made waffles more readily available.
Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough. When cooked between two patterned plates, the dough bakes in the waffle’s characteristic uniform impressed surface. Waffles also come in many forms. Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.
Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century. An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife. According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began:
Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease.
- 1911 – First electric waffle iron introduced by General Electric.
- 1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
- 1964 – Belgian Waffles debut at New York’s World’s Fair.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWaffleDay
Enjoy your favorite waffle recipes. Or visit a local restaurant for some fresh served waffles. Restaurants across the country specialize in waffles, crafting delicious combinations for every meal of the day. No matter your preference, there’s a waffle for you!
Invite friends over for a waffle-making party. Set up a buffet with fresh fruit, syrups, and nuts. Ask them to bring their best ingredients and get tasting! You never know what you’ll discover.
You can also check out the latest specials and offers on the Celebration Deals page. Use #NationalWaffleDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator of National Waffle Day.
Q. Are waffle and pancake batters the same?
A. No. Waffle batter contains about twice as much fat and sugar as pancake batter. The additional fat and sugar are what make waffles crispy on the outside.
Q. Which is older, pancakes or waffles?
A. Pancakes have been around longer than waffles. The waffle iron required to make waffles was invented in the later 1800s, while methods for frying dough or batter have been around since before the Renaissance.
Q. What’s the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle?
A. Belgian waffles have deeper, bigger honeycombed pockets than other waffles.
Q. Are there different kinds of waffles?
A. Yes. The Belgian and American waffles are two. A sweeter, crisper, and thinner waffle, the Liege waffle is often served without any toppings. The potato waffle can be served savory or sweet, and yes, potatoes are the main ingredient. In the Netherlands, they make a thin, crispy waffle called stroopwafels. They consist of two waffles with a layer of syrup between them.
Q. What are the other waffle days on the calendar?
A. National Chicken and Waffles Day, National Waffle Week, Waffle Iron Day are just a few of the waffle-related celebrations on the calendar. Sweden also has their own Waffle Day in March.
NATIONAL PEACH PIE DAY
On August National Peach Pie Day is observed annually on August 24th. We celebrate this mouth-watering dessert during the heart of the Peach harvest season. Don’t forget the à la mode!
Generally speaking, there are two types of peaches – freestone and clingstone. The difference is in the way the flesh comes away from the pit in the middle of the peach. When the meat comes away freely from the stone, the peach is a freestone peach; if the flesh clings to it, it’s a clingstone.
While Georgia may be the first state to come to mind when we think of peaches, California actually leads the nation in production. In the United States, 20 states produce peaches commercially. Besides California and Georgia, the other two top producers are South Carolina and New Jersey. Pennsylvania and Washington grow a lot of peaches, too.
Peaches are best enjoyed ripe, juicy, and fresh. However, when that’s not possible, pastry comes to the rescue! The sweet juices of peaches come to life when we add a little sugar and seasonings. Envelope them in a flakey crust and bake for about an hour and the syrupy sweetness clings to the fruit. Add vanilla ice cream for a creamy reminder that summer isn’t quite over. Not yet, anyway.
More Peach Facts
- Georgia is known as the Peach State.
- Peach harvest occurs between June and August.
- Harvest from each peach tree lasts about one week.
- A medium peach weighs 2.6 oz.
- A medium peach typically contains 30 calories, 7 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of protein, 140 mg of potassium, and 8% of the daily value for vitamin C.
HOW TO OBSERVE #PeachPieDay
Make a peach pie to share. Or invite someone to join you for your favorite peach pie at a local restaurant. Be sure to give a shout-out to your baker, too! Please enjoy these Peach Pie recipes:
Use #PeachPieDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL PEACH PIE DAY HISTORY
We were unable to find the creator of National Peach Pie Day.
In 2017, National Day Calendar® began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union starting the week of Independence Day and ending with Hawaii. We highlight a small part of each states’ history, foods and the people who make up the state. Many states have their own state celebrations, and National Day Calendar’s observances in no way replace them. There’s so much more to explore, we can’t help but celebrate our beautiful country even more!
NATIONAL MARYLAND DAY
On August 24, we usher in the 7th state to join the Union with National Maryland Day. Maryland’s coastal location brings with it a deeply rooted maritime heritage that includes an ocean battle defending the city of Baltimore at Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. One witness to the action became so inspired, Francis Scott Key penned the words that later became our National Anthem.
Just over 200 years before these traditions flourished, Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay and the Nanticoke River. He kept a record of his travels, documenting the Native American people. Smith wrote about their cultures, the abundant animal, and plant life. Since this vast watershed is the largest estuary in the United States, the complex ecosystem thrives with diverse plants and wildlife.
Spending a weekend or a vacation at Ocean City with friends or family is a highlight of any Maryland trip. The boardwalk and beaches provide plenty of relaxation, adventure, and fun in the sun. The Eastern Shore offers scenic views, site seeing, peaceful accommodations, festivals and events for everyone.
Civil War History
Head west to Antitiem and Maryland will take you into another era. Here, the battlefields and Antietam National Cemetery hold a solemn reminder of the bloodiest singled day battle of the Civil War that occurred on September 17, 1862. Five days later, President Lincoln issued a Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Although Maryland was a southern state as defined by the Mason-Dixon line, it never seceded from the Union. While many families throughout the war fought on opposing sides, for Maryland families, it was a reoccurring theme.
Being located close to Washington D.C. makes Maryland ideal for aerospace, defense, and federal cybersecurity jobs. The state’s fishing industry thrives and is the largest producer of blue crabs in the state. The Oldline State is also home to McCormick & Company, Perdue Farms, Lockheed Martin, Black & Decker and Underarmor.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMarylandDay
This beautiful state spans mountains and oceans, countryside and metropolis. Join National Day Calendar as we celebrate Maryland’s people and their history on August 24. Use #NationalMarylandDay to share on social media.
Reverend Samuel Henshall of Oxford, England receives the first patent for a corkscrew.
Charlotte Brontë finishes the manuscript for the classic novel Jane Eyre.
Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received the first patent for the waffle iron, revolutionizing breakfast forever.
Amelia Earhart completes the first transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman.
North Atlantic Treaty goes into effect.
A woman of many firsts, Edith Sampson was the first African American appointed as a U.S. representative at the United Nations.
Microsoft releases to retail the Windows 95 operating system.
The 9th planet in the solar system, Pluto, was demoted to a dwarf planet, much to the outrage of school children everywhere.
American men’s basketball team wins a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Co-founder of Apple, Inc, Steve Jobs, resigns as Chief Executive Officer.
Stephen Hawking presents his theory that black holes may provide passage to another universe.
Victor Vescovo reaches the deepest point in the Arctic becoming the first person to visit every ocean’s deepest point.
Name: Waffles for Snacking
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 – 7 minutes
Total Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 12 waffles
1 cup maida / all-purpose flour
6 Tbsp + 2 tsp Sugar
1 3/4 tsp Baking Powder
3/4 cup milk
6 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
1. Mix Maida, sugar and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Add milk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla essence.
3. Mix well without any lumps.
4. Preheat the waffle maker and pour the batter into it.
5. Cook it and take out the waffle when it is done,
6. Finally, serve the waffles as a perfect snack.
August 24th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Zonia Baber – 1862
If you’ve ever taken a geography class and found it fascinating, you should probably thank Zonia Barber. Not only did the geography teacher promote the equal rights of women, but she also encouraged a practical understanding of geography.
Ray McIntire – 1918
As a chemical engineer for Dow Chemical Company, McIntire accidentally developed Styrofoam while trying to create a flexible, rubber-like insulator.
Gregory Jarvis – 1944
The electrical engineer is one of seven astronauts who tragically died when the space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after lift off.
Marsha P. Johnson – 1945
As a leading activist for the LGBTQ community, Johnson also supported shelters for LGBT youth.
Anna Lee Fisher – 1949
As a physician and mother, Fisher became the first mother in space when she boarded the space shuttle discovery and launched into space. She was also one of six women selected to be NASA’s first female astronauts. The others? Shannon Lucid, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Kathryn Sullivan, Judith Resnik, and Sally Ride.
Orson Scott Card – 1951
The prolific science fiction writer is known for his Ender’s Game series which is now coming to film.
Oscar Hijuelos – 1951
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. The novel follows the story of Cuban immigrants seeking the American Dream. In 1992, the novel came to the silver screen as the The Mamo Kings.
Mike Shanahan – 1952
The former head coach of the Denver Broncos led the team to consecutive Super Bowl wins.
Steve Guttenberg – 1958
The comedic actor is known for his roles in Police Academy, Short Circuit, and Three Men and A Baby.
Cal Ripken – 1960
Also known as “The Iron Man,” Ripken played infield for the Baltimore Orioles.
Marlee Matlin – 1965
The Oscar-winning actress earned numerous awards for her role as Sarah when Children of a Lesser God was brought to the silver screen. She first performed the role in the Broadway play by the same name. Since then, Matlin has performed in over 60 films and television shows. She is also an advocate for the deaf.
Reggie Miller – 1965
The round 1 NBA draft pick played 18 years with the Indiana Pacers.
Ava DuVernay – 1972
DuVernay became the first black woman to win the directing award at the Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere.
Orla Fallon – 1974
The professional singer and musician is a former member of Celtic Woman.
Rupert Grint – 1988
Best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, Grint went on to a successful television career in the shows Sick Note and Snatch.
National Day Calendar® is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! Since our humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, we now track nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, our research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate.
There’s a celebration for everyone. While National Road Trip Day satisfies the itch to wander, many pet days let us share our love of animals. National 3-D Day and National Astronaut Day honor the advancement of technology, too. Every food day you can imagine (National Avocado Day, for example), will keep you celebrating, also!
Our Ambassador Program is another way #CelebrateEveryDay®! Whether you become an ambassador or follow one of the savvy ambassadors, their fun videos and posts will keep you prepared for every holiday