National Banana Lovers Day

National Banana Lovers Day is a true celebration for everyone who enjoys this sweet, fragrant, and incredibly popular fruit. Bananas are packed with vitamins B, C, and PP, as well as potassium, silicon, calcium, and magnesium. They aid digestion, help regulate heart rhythm and blood pressure, and calm the nervous system. Because silicon is involved in collagen production, banana lovers often enjoy healthy skin and strong hair.

History

It is unclear who first decided to celebrate National Banana Lovers Day on August 27th, but it’s become a favorite for many fruit fans.

Interesting Facts

1. The word “banana” means “finger” in one of the African languages.
2. The first bananas arrived in the United States in 1870, imported from Jamaica by Captain Lorenzo Dow Baker, who brought 160 bunches to Jersey City, New Jersey.
3. Baker imported the Gros Michel variety, but today most Americans eat Cavendish bananas, which replaced Gros Michel after it was wiped out by “Panama disease,” a fungal infection.
4. By 1910, bananas were so popular in the U.S. that banana peels became a hazard. People would toss them on the street, causing passersby to slip. The city of St. Louis even issued an ordinance in 1910 banning the practice, and Boy Scouts helped clean up peels until sanitation services took over.
5. The term “banana republic,” describing a country with an economy dependent on banana exports, was coined by American writer O. Henry.
6. The United Fruit Company, later known as Chiquita, made bananas a staple in the U.S. In the 1950s, the company published cookbooks with unique banana recipes, such as banana soup and banana roll with ham. Today, you’ll find banana vodka, Jufran banana ketchup, banana chips, and banana bread.

How to Take Part

Celebrate National Banana Lovers Day with your favorite banana treats. Buy fresh bananas or try a new banana-based dessert, and be sure to share with family and friends.

When is National Banana Lovers Day in 2025?

National Banana Lovers Day is observed on August 27 each year.

Observations