National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day

National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is one of the strangest and most amusing holidays on the calendar. Celebrated annually on July 29, the tradition is simple: buy some cheese, cut off a small piece, and place it in a mousetrap. While this method was once seen as a practical way to catch mice, modern science suggests it’s more myth than effective pest control—especially since studies show that mice aren’t particularly fond of cheese. Still, the quirky holiday remains a fun excuse to celebrate cheese in all its forms.

History

Cheese is one of the oldest known foods, predating written history. Archaeologists have found ceramic vessels from 7,000 years ago that show evidence of cheese-making. The Sumerians were producing cheese as early as the second millennium BCE. In Ancient Rome, cheese was a popular delicacy, imported from across the empire. In the Americas, cheese-making was practiced by Indigenous peoples such as the Incas and others in the Andes.

Interesting Facts About Cheese

• The earliest cheeses likely resembled modern feta, with a tangy and salty flavor.
• Columella’s agricultural treatise De Re Rustica contains a detailed description of ancient Roman cheese-making techniques.
• Some of today’s most famous cheeses were first documented in the Middle Ages: Cheddar in 1100, Gouda in 1697, and Camembert in 1791.
• Although Switzerland is known for its cheese, the first official cheese factory wasn’t founded there until 1815.
• Certain cheeses are banned in the United States due to safety regulations, including those made with raw milk and aged for less than 60 days.

How to Take Part

Celebrate by creating a personal cheese platter and sampling your favorite varieties. Explore new kinds of cheese, visit a local cheese shop, or splurge on something high-end and artisanal. Whether you’re into sharp cheddars or creamy bries, today is the perfect day to indulge.

When is National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day in 2025?

National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is observed on July 29 each year.

Observations