September 20, 2019 – NATIONAL PUNCH DAY – PEPPERONI PIZZA DAY – NATIONAL TRADESMEN DAY – NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – NATIONAL FRIED RICE DAY – NATIONAL STRING CHEESE DAY

NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

On September 20th, National Punch Day goes in several directions.

While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration.

A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch. A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch.

In the early 17th century, punch made its appearance. It’s believed sailors en route to England via India created the drink. Punch quickly grew in popularity and soon spread to other countries.

The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water and tea or spices. It was called paantsch.

Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages. Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPunchDay

Make some punch and make a toast! Thousands of punch recipes make the beverage versatile and easy to make. Check recipe books and online. Be sure to share your favorites, too! Use #NationalPunchDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PUNCH DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues seeking the source or founder of this beverage holiday.

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What better way to celebrate #NationalCoffeeDay than with fresh brewed coffee? Well, #CelebrateEveryDay Coffee Beans of course! These full flavored whole roasted beans come in dark, medium and light roast. We even have decaf. Order your 12 oz. bag today and we will ship it out tomorrow! National Coffee Day is on September 29th. Are you stocked? Get Yours here Now.

PEPPERONI PIZZA DAY

On September 20th, Pepperoni Pizza Day recognizes the most popular pizza ever created. The day celebrates the pizza enjoyed by young and old alike.

While pizza comes with many different toppings, pepperoni is the single most popular pizza. Whether you like your pizza Chicago Style or New York Style, thin and crispy or deep dish, top it with pepperoni!

According to legend, Raffaele Esposito created the first pizza in June of 1889. The Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, inspired the pizza maker. He created the Pizza Margherita to honor the queen and topped the pizza with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. The colors represented the Italian flag.

Since then, pizza has evolved. It includes a multitude of toppings from anchovies and pineapple to sausage and bacon. However, pepperoni remains the most popular.

Italian-Americans developed the ever-popular topping through time-honored sausage making techniques. Seasoned pork and beef sausage are smoked and cured. Once the product is ready to be sliced, it’s placed on a delicious pie and baked.

HOW TO OBSERVE #PepperoniPizzaDay

Enjoy a slice of Pepperoni Pizza at your favorite pizzeria with friends or family. Or, make your own at home. Either way, the meal will be fantastic! Take a photo and post to social media using #PepperoniPizzaDay.

NATIONAL PEPPERONI PIZZA DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar continues researching the source of this delicious food holiday.

NATIONAL TRADESMEN DAY

On the third Friday in September, National Tradesmen Day honors the men and women whose skills and hard work build America. Their skills keep it running strong. The day is dedicated to the professionals who maintain the complex infrastructure of our roads, cities, water systems, and power grids.

While these professionals work day in and out maintaining skills unique to their trade, our nation continues to operate smoothly without pause. The skills and knowledge of those in the trades keep businesses, homes and entire nations running. Whether walls go up or come down, roads cross rivers or the water flows, electricians, plumbers, masons, mechanics, carpenters and everyone in between ensures the job gets done.

Additionally, they pass on their skills to the next generation. Even though the industry changes, the need for it does not. In fact, as the country grows and qualified workers retire, the demand for skilled workers grows. Skilled trades is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the job market today. So, not only does their know-how keep the country going, but their salaries do, too. They’re a major influence on the economy.

Their skills and jobs are so valuable, in fact, that training is available in nearly every sector of the skilled trade job market. With their hands, their skills, their tools, and their training, they keep America running smoothly.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTradesmenDay

Honor a tradesman you know. If you’re interested in a skilled trade, visit www.skilledtrades.com to learn more. Show your appreciation and use #NationalTradesmenDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL TRADESMEN DAY HISTORY

Irwin Tools founded National Tradesmen Day in 2011 to honor the men and women who work every day with their hands to keep American running strong. Friday, September 16, 2011, was the inaugural National Tradesmen Day.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

In the United States, the third Friday in September honors National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Each year since 1989, a presidential proclamation brings the nation together to remember and honor the members of the Armed Forces who remain missing in action or are prisoners of war. The day serves as a call to action, reminding the nation to rededicate our efforts. We’re responsible for bringing our patriots home and for caring for our military families awaiting word of their loved ones.

The POW/MIA Flag is flown this day over significant national landmarks and government buildings across the country. Not only do the Capitol, the White House, and the Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials fly the flag, but so do the offices of the secretaries of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, and of the Selective Service System. Additionally, the POW/MIA Flay flies on the grounds or in the lobbies of every major military installation, post office, and all VA Medical Centers and national cemeteries.

HOW TO OBSERVE #POWMIARecognitionDay

Around the nation, events, and ceremonies recognize POWs, MIA, and their families. Loved ones and supporters gather for candlelight vigils, walks, and other events to show honor and support of their sacrifice. Join a service near you and show your support. Visit pow-miafamilies.org for more information.

Recognize the men and women who are POW and MIA. Remember them and bring them home. Use #POWMIARecognitionDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY HISTORY

Congress established National POW/MIA Recognition Day with the passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act. This day is one of the six days that Federal Law requires government facilities to fly the POW/MIA Flag. The U.S, Secretary of Defense lists all places designated to fly the POW/MIA Flag.

NATIONAL FRIED RICE DAY

Order up a side of Hibachi Chicken Rice to celebrate National Fried Rice Day on September 20.

Fried rice is the star of the meal. Its flavor captures the diners’ hearts and keeps them coming back for more. Together with shrimp, chicken or beef, fried rice makes a complete meal. More adventurous foodies can spice it up with Spicy Chicken Rice.

Made with a combination of long grained rice, peas, carrots and onions, fried rice requires perfected incorporated eggs to bring it all together.

While enjoying a meal with fried rice, remember that it compliments vegetables and protein equally well. Whether you enjoy sweet, sour, spicy or a combination, fried rice goes well with both. When all the flavors and aromas add up to a memorable meal, the celebrating is easy.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFriedRiceDay

The day encourages families and friends to enjoy a meal out or get your meal to go. Invite a crowd to celebrate. Order dishes to share or extra for delicious fried rice to take home.

Join Benihana by celebrating the day with a side of Hibachi Chicken Rice. Share your favorite meal on social media using #NationalFriedRiceDay.

FRIED RICE DAY HISTORY

Benihana founded National Fried Rice Day in 2018 because high-quality rice isn’t just another side dish to them; it’s a foundational element of every meal they serve. Benihana has been dishing the irresistible flavor of their famous fried rice to generations of foodies for over half a century, serving roughly 2,720,350 pounds of California-grown rice each year. Fried Rice is beloved throughout the globe and an iconic part of the Benihana experience.

NATIONAL STRING CHEESE DAY

It’s time for America to stand together in support of our love for String Cheese. Join us as we celebrate National String Cheese Day on September 20. Whether you call it String Cheese, Snack Cheese or Cheese Sticks…there’s no denying that you call it delicious!

Pack it for a picnic or a hike. Pass it out for a team snack. And of course, no lunch is complete without this tasty treat. You’ve got to hand it to String Cheese—it’s the fun, easy and protein-packed food that goes wherever you do! It’s no wonder String Cheese has so much “a-peel” with both kids and adults alike. Usually made with mozzarella, String Cheese melts easily when heated making it an excellent addition to recipes, too.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of String Cheese is deciding how to eat it. Most people go for the classic “peel down and chow down” method—separating each stick into thin strands. (After all, it is kind of fun to play with your food!) Others prefer the “get down to business” approach of removing the wrapper and biting into the stick. (Why wait to get that delicious cheese into your belly?) However, you choose to eat it, get your hands on some every September 20th!

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalStringCheeseDay

What is your favorite way of snacking on string cheese? Share on social media with #NationalStringCheeseDay.

NATIONAL STRING CHEESE DAY HISTORY

Galbani Cheese founded National String Cheese Day in 2017 to celebrate America’s love of String Cheese. You can follow Galbani Cheese on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for great snacking recipes and tips.

On Deck for September 21, 2019

National Days

National Chai Day
National Pecan Cookie Day
National New York Day
National Dance Day– Third Saturday in September
National Gymnastics Day– Third Saturday in September
Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day for Kids – Third Saturday in September
Puppy Mill Awareness Day – Third Saturday in September
Responsible Dog Ownership Day – Third Saturday in September
National Singles Day– Saturday of Singles Week –September 21, 2019
National CleanUp Day– Third Saturday In September
National Seat Check Saturday – Usually Fourth Saturday in September

International Days

National Weeks

International Week of the Deaf – Last Full Week of September
National Deaf Dog Week – Last Full Week in September

Classroom

Recipe of the Day

Apple Cider Float
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total Prep: 5 minutes
Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
2 cups apple cider

Instructions:

In a saucer, mix spices and sugar.

Dampen the corner of a paper towel or the tip of your clean finger with apple cider.

Rub along the rim of each serving glass.

Dip each glass into the sugar and spice mixture to coat the edge.

Place two scoops of ice cream into each glass.

Sprinkle the remaining sugar and spice mixture over the top of the ice cream.

Pour the apple cider over the top of the ice cream.

About National Day Calendar

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!

Celebrating National Day’s In September

September 20, 2019 – NATIONAL PUNCH DAY – PEPPERONI PIZZA DAY – NATIONAL TRADESMEN DAY – NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – NATIONAL FRIED RICE DAY – NATIONAL STRING CHEESE DAY