National Ice Cream Month: Facts, History About The Frozen Treat

Sunday, July 19, was National Ice Cream Day, a day when Americans get to celebrate the dessert favorite. Anyone who missed Sunday's event shouldn't fret because the entire July is actually National Ice Cream Month, so they will still have a good reason to go and enjoy their favorite ice cream.

Ice cream is a very popular treat that is loved by many people all over the world. Although its exact origin is little unclear, its popularity began to spread in Europe in the 1500s, when it was considered to be a treat primarily for the rich.

In the U.S., ice cream first made its appearance in 1774 in a letter by Maryland Governor William Bladen. By the summer of 1790, President George Washington is said to have spent $200 on ice cream, a considerable sum in today's money.

Eventually, ice cream became more accessible to everyday Americans and, in 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring July to be National Ice Cream Month, the third Sunday of which being the National Ice Cream Day.

"Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States. In enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food," Proclamation 5220 reads. "Over eight hundred and eighty-seven million gallons of ice cream were consumed in the United States in 1983. The ice cream industry generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens."

Today, according to the International Dairy Foods Association, the average American consumes about 23 pounds of ice cream each year and, the industry contributes $11 billion directly to the economy.

Each year, on National Ice Cream Day, many businesses offer various deals on National Ice Cream Day, from discounts to freebies and buy-one-get-one offers. This year is no different, although just like other food holidays, the celebrations are altered by the coronavirus pandemic.

That said, even if there were fewer deals or, perhaps if some completely missed the holiday, it doesn't mean that celebrating ice cream ends on National Ice Cream Day, especially since the entire month of July is National Ice Cream Month.

In fact, apart from National Ice Cream Day, there was also National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day on July 1, National Peach Ice Cream Day on July 17 and, in just a few days, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day will be celebrated on Thursday, July 23.