National Catfish Day 🐟

Overview

National Catfish Day, observed annually on June 25th, celebrates the significance of catfish in American culture, particularly its role in aquaculture and cuisine. Established by presidential proclamation, the day aims to recognize the economic contributions of the farm-raised catfish industry and to promote the consumption of this versatile and nutritious freshwater fish.

Origin and story

President Ronald Reagan officially proclaimed June 25th as National Catfish Day in 1987, acknowledging the growth and importance of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry.

The proclamation specifically recognized farm-raised catfish as a lean, healthy, and economical food source.

Quick facts

• DateJune 25
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

This is one of the rare food holidays with an actual presidential paper trail — Congress requested it and Ronald Reagan formally proclaimed it in 1987, specifically to spotlight a farm-raised catfish industry that had grown twelvefold in just one decade.

Cook or order some

Celebrate by:

• Cooking or ordering catfish today, fried or blackened being the classic preparations.
• Looking into whether the catfish you're eating is farm-raised, and where.

Read the actual proclamation

Helpful resources:

• Proclamation 5672 — National Catfish Day, 1987 (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

Did you know?

Reagan's proclamation cited a jump in farm-raised catfish production of roughly 1,200% between 1975 and 1985, with production costs low enough that catfish became the third-most-consumed finned fish in the country by 1986.

Fun facts

• President Ronald Reagan officially proclaimed June 25th as National Catfish Day in 1987, acknowledging the growth and importance of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry.
• The proclamation specifically recognized farm-raised catfish as a lean, healthy, and economical food source.
• Catfish are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers and are sensory organs used to locate food in murky waters.

Sources and attribution

Proclamation 5672 — National Catfish Day, 1987 (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Catfish Day?

It is observed on June 25 each year.

What is National Catfish Day?

National Catfish Day, observed annually on June 25th, celebrates the significance of catfish in American culture, particularly its role in aquaculture and cuisine. Established by presidential proclamation, the day aims to recognize the economic contributions of the farm-raised catfish industry and to promote the consumption of this versatile and nutritious freshwater fish.

How do people celebrate National Catfish Day?

Cook or order catfish today, and look into whether it's farm-raised, the industry Reagan's 1987 proclamation actually honored.

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