Coastin Carl
🎬 National POPCORN Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
Neither the founder nor the creative origin of this holiday has ever truly been established. We do know National POPCORN Day is celebrated on the 19th Day in January.
Popcorn is one of the oldest types of corn, with a history that dates back thousands of years. Archaeologists have found evidence of popcorn in ancient Peruvian tombs that date back to around 4700 B.C. Native American tribes, such as the Aztecs and the Iroquois, were known to have enjoyed popcorn long before the arrival of Europeans.
In the 19th century, popcorn became popular at fairs, carnivals, and circuses, often sold as a portable and affordable snack. It gained even more popularity with the invention of the popcorn machine and the widespread availability of popcorn at movie theaters during the Great Depression.
🌽 HOW to Celebrate & Observe National POPCORN Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on National POPCORN Day!
💙 SEE a Movie
While I think movie popcorn is way too salty, go see your favorite movie at the cineplex and grab a big tub of popcorn to share. I usually don’t bring any lip balm and end up trying to find inventive ways to avoid burning my lips without paying much attention to the plot throughout the entire film. Many movie theaters including AMC have special discounts on popcorn refills. Host a movie marathon at home and make a variety of popcorn flavors to enjoy while watching your favorite films.
💙 TRY Mail Order
Experiment with different popcorn flavors. Try exotic seasonings, sweet and savory combinations, and share your favorites with friends and family. There are many different companies you can order online that ship wonderful popcorn tins including The Popcorn Factory, Thatcher’s Gourmet Popcorn, or even Amazon.
💙 HAVE a Party
Experiment with different popcorn flavors. Try exotic seasonings, sweet and savory combinations, and share your favorites with friends and family. Pop your favorite microwavable popcorn and share a bowl with friends or loved ones. Invite everyone to string kernels together and make necklaces out of popcorn jewelry. Then stream a popular movie for everyone to watch and throw popcorn at one another! Incorporate popcorn into desserts. Make popcorn balls, popcorn cupcakes, or even popcorn ice cream for a sweet treat.
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalPopcornDay, #PopcornDay, #Popcorn, #MovieTheaterButter, #FoodHolidays, #JanuaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National POPCORN Day.
LEARN more about the historical importance of POPCORN
WHAT MAKES POPCORN … POP?
THE SCIENCE & HISTORY OF POPCORN
TEN Fun Facts you never knew about National POPCORN Day
- Popcorn is one of the oldest types of corn. Ancient records of popcorn date back 5000 years ago. But recently archaeologists have found popcorn remnants in ancient tombs on Peru’s northern coast from around 4700 BC. This means ancient Peruvians were eating popcorn 2000 years earlier than previously thought!
- The first commercial popcorn machine was invented by Charles Cretors in 1885. It revolutionized the way popcorn was popped and sold.
- While lots of people love Garretts’ quality popcorn, especially the Chicago-style cheddar and caramel combo, the lesser-known Cretors is perhaps even better.
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- In the United States, the State of Nebraska produces the most popcorn totaling around 250 million pounds per year.
- Pillsbury first created microwavable popcorn in 1982.
- Popcorn is unique among corn varieties because of its ability to pop. Each popcorn kernel contains a small amount of water, and when heated, the water turns into steam, causing the kernel to explode and puff up.
- Plain popcorn is a whole grain, rich in fiber and antioxidants. It can be a relatively healthy snack when prepared without excessive butter or sugar.
- Popcorn is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed in various ways, from classic buttered and salted to gourmet flavors like caramel, cheese, and even spicy options.
- The world’s largest popcorn ball weighs 9370 pounds (4,243 kilograms) ! It measured 8 feet (2.5 meters) wide and 25 feet (7.6 meters) around. In Feb 2009, over 250 volunteers dedicated over 12 hours to reconstruct the sculpture utilizing 900 pounds (408 kilograms) of popcorn, along with over 2500 pounds (1134 kilograms) of sugar and 1400 pounds (635 kilograms) of syrup.
- Popcorn became a popular movie snack during the Great Depression. It was affordable, and the enticing aroma helped boost sales at movie theaters.
Famous PEOPLE also born on January 19th
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Dolly Parton
Country music singer/songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur, best known for her flamboyant dress, thick makeup, and signature vibrato. She’s written more than 3000 songs and is tied with Reba McEntire for the most No. 1 country hits. Her amusement park is located in the town of Sevierville, Tennessee USA where she was born in 1946.
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Robert E Lee
Military commander for the Confederate States of America amid the South’s attempt to secede during the US Civil War. Ultimately his tactics were criticized as being too aggressive, although he did twice defeat substantially larger armies with his bold attacks & brilliant strategy. Lee was about to retire and opposed secession, but when the fighting broke out, he turned down the offer to head the Union army. He also served under General Winfield Scott during the Mexican War. Born 1807.
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Paula Deen
Television personality, cookbook author, and owner of Paula Deen Foods known for her love of rich southern cooking. She’s since been trying to win back many of her fan’s hearts ever since ill-timed negative gaffes were publicized. Born 1947.
Future DATES for National POPCORN Day
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | January 19 | Thursday |
| 2024 | January 19 | Friday |
| 2025 | January 19 | Sunday |
| 2026 | January 19 | Monday |
| 2027 | January 19 | Tuesday |
Why we L💜VE National POPCORN Day
Ahh, popcorn … how do you like yours? Plain and crunchy or drowning in butter? Popcorn became the favorite snack food of the most highly watched thing on television the Super Bowl. You bet people love it. You can enjoy it anywhere or anytime. Yes, popcorn is good for you. A large tub of buttery popcorn or flavored completes movie or television watching. Munch Away on healthy popcorn and it can help with weight loss since it’s a high-fiber food.
You love delicious flavors as a treat. What about trying it extra dry & toasty or tossing in something more non-traditional such as ranch seasoning, parmesan cheese, or even nutty nutritional yeast? Carmelized kettle corn or cheddar or both are other variations on a sometimes treat delicious late-night snack. Either way, if you like popcorn learning more about its history, snagging a yummy bag from a great popcorn company, or being creative with it for learning or projects will be a reason to simply love popcorn!
