National Ice Cream Day is a delightful celebration that takes place on the third Sunday of July each year. This sweet holiday was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, who recognized the popularity and cultural significance of ice cream in the United States. He proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and designated the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day. Mark your calendar and grab your family to go out to get ice cream.
Ice cream made its way to the United States in the 18th century. The first mention of ice cream in the U.S. was in a letter written in Maryland in 1744. By the time of the American Revolution, ice cream had become a popular treat. The New York Gazette printed the first advertisement for ice cream in the United States on May 12, 1777. Nothing beats going to an ice cream parlor or getting ice cream on the boardwalk. Thank goodness this sweet treat has been brought to the United States. It is hard to imagine not having ice cream.
National Ice Cream Day is a wonderful time we can’t ever forget. Do you remember when you first tasted the unforgettable ice cream flavor? National Ice Cream Day is appropriately placed in July because July is a hot month in most of the country. Nothing beats a big bowl or cone of ice cream on a summer day. Ice cream toppings are fun to place on top of your ice cream. Try some hot fudge, chocolate syrup, cookies, candy, fresh fruit and use your imagination.
I think ice cream is popular because of its variety of flavors, taste, and coldness. Cookies and cream, cookie dough and brownie are my ice cream go to. When I was a little girl, I did not like ice cream. I think it sounds crazy looking back at it, but I wouldn’t try it for a long time. Anything milk turned me off, and vanilla ice cream seemed common in my house at the time. Since it was white, it reminded me of milk so I immediately distanced myself. Coldness also bothers people with cerebral palsy so the coldness might have deterred me from eating ice cream.
My Ice Cream Story
My maternal grandfather finally encouraged me to try a taste of ice cream. To my excellent surprise it was the best tasting item that I had all summer. The flavor was chocolate, and my grandparents had these cute little white bowls with flowers on them. I can remember the tiny clank sound when he scooped some ice cream on the spoon and fed me. We both laughed that I had waited so long to try eating ice cream. My grandfather had a boisterous laugh and a warm smile. I miss him very much.
From that day forward, we ate many bowls of ice cream together. I was fortunate enough to spend many days at my grandparents. When I was in middle and high school, I went to my grandparent’s house. We had a close relationship and they encouraged everything I did. My grandmother made me a homemade ice cream cake for my birthday. I can still taste it in my recollections.
For fun, I decided to make a list of my favorite ice cream and ways to eat it. What better way to think about National Ice Cream Day? I also like to eat ice cream with cake. Waffles and ice cream is delicious.
I had fun with my children by having an ice cream for dinner day. We would go somewhere or buy different flavors and several toppings. No rules are needed because they could create whatever they found delicious. They could experiment and have an amazing time. We would clean up and when they were young, they would need a shower. However, they had memories for a lifetime. My hope is that they pass the tradition to their families.
Favorite Flavors
- Chocolate
- Cookies and cream – heavy on the cookies
- Brownies and cream – This is hard to find, but when I was a teenager, my dad bought it. I thought it was amazing! I like to take homemade brownies and crumble it into ice cream.
- Cookie dough
- Chocolate chip
- Strawberry
- Fudge swirl
- Banana
- Vanilla
- Orange cream
- Forbidden chocolate
- Death by chocolate
- Peach
- Moose tracks
- Neopolitian
- Banana and chocolate
Ice cream treats
- Ice cream sandwich
- Chipwich
- In a bowl with ice cream cone mixed in
- Fudgecicle
- Ice cream cake
- Ice cream with cake
- Root beer float
- Coke float
Did I make you hungry? I wish I could feed myself, but maybe it’s a bad idea because I would eat ice cream way too much. Enjoy ice cream! I will always remember eating ice cream with my grandpa. Enjoy a huge bowl and invite a friend over. Don’t forget to have ice cream for dinner.
