National Hot Dog Day
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Overview
National Hot Dog Day is an annual celebration of the popular American frankfurter, often observed in the United States around the third Wednesday of July. It's a day when enthusiasts and casual consumers alike enjoy hot dogs in various forms, recognizing their cultural significance as a staple of summer cookouts, sporting events, and quick meals across the nation.
Origin and story
Americans consume an estimated 20 billion hot dogs annually.
The term 'hot dog' is believed to have originated from a 1901 cartoon depicting 'dachshund sausages.'
Quick facts
- DateJuly 23
- TypePets / Animals
- Great forPet parents, Shelters, Veterinarians
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Before it was "the hot dog," Coney Island vendors were selling it under a much less appetizing name.
Meet the Coney Island pioneer
Charles Feltman, a Coney Island pie-wagon vendor, is widely credited with popularizing the dish in America, serving hot "dachshund sausages" in milk rolls as early as 1867, eventually expanding into a sprawling beer-garden complex on Surf Avenue.
Know how the nickel stand started
Nathan Handwerker, a former Feltman's employee, opened his own hot-dog stand nearby in 1916, undercutting his old boss by selling for a nickel instead of a dime — reportedly on the encouragement of two of Feltman's singing waiters, Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor, before either became famous.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Frankfurt, Germany claims the sausage itself was invented there in 1484 — more than 500 years before it ever touched a Coney Island bun, and eight years before Columbus set sail for America.
Fun facts
- Americans consume an estimated 20 billion hot dogs annually.
- The term 'hot dog' is believed to have originated from a 1901 cartoon depicting 'dachshund sausages.'
- Many hot dog purists, especially in Chicago, famously argue that ketchup should not be used on a hot dog.
Sources and attribution
The Origin of the Coney Island Hot Dog Is a Uniquely American Story (Smithsonian Magazine)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Hot Dog Day?
- It is observed on the third Wednesday of July each year.
- What is National Hot Dog Day?
- National Hot Dog Day is an annual celebration of the popular American frankfurter, often observed in the United States around the third Wednesday of July. It's a day when enthusiasts and casual consumers alike enjoy hot dogs in various forms, recognizing their cultural significance as a staple of summer cookouts, sporting events, and quick meals across the nation.
- How do people celebrate National Hot Dog Day?
- Grab a hot dog and consider its Coney Island roots — vendor Charles Feltman sold 'dachshund sausages' in milk rolls as early as 1867, and former employee Nathan Handwerker later undercut him with his own nickel stand in 1916.
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