National Flitch Day

National Flitch Day is an unofficial holiday connected to an old custom in which a married couple proves the strength of their relationship one year and one day after the wedding. If their testimony is considered sincere and convincing, they are awarded a “flitch,” a large side of bacon. The idea is partly humorous and partly symbolic, treating bacon as a prize for a marriage that has held up well through its first year.

History of National Flitch Day

The exact origin of the tradition is uncertain, though some accounts trace it back to medieval England. One popular story places it around 1104, when a noble couple, disguised as commoners, visited a monastery for a blessing. The abbot, impressed by their devotion, rewarded them with a substantial portion of bacon. In later versions of the custom, couples had to appear before a mock court and swear they had no regrets about the marriage. If the “jury” accepted their claim, they received a flitch of bacon, sometimes described as as large as half a pig.

Interesting Facts About National Flitch Day

The flitch tradition is best known in England, even though it is sometimes referenced in the United States as a novelty holiday.

• Historically, versions of the custom appeared in different parts of England, though the exact rules varied.
• Great Dunmow in Essex is most closely associated with the best-known flitch tradition, often called the Dunmow Flitch Trials.
• In modern times, the tradition has been revived and is held as a public event, rather than a regular community practice.
• Early English settlers brought many customs to North America, but the flitch tradition never became widespread in the United States.

Even today, the event is remembered as much for humor as for history.

How to Take Part in National Flitch Day

A simple way to observe National Flitch Day is to learn about the Dunmow Flitch tradition and how it was staged as a mock trial. If you want a playful activity, give a bacon-themed gift to a couple approaching their first anniversary and host a lighthearted “trial” at home with friendly questions. For a literary angle, read William Harrison Ainsworth’s novel The Flitch of Bacon, which draws on the tradition. If you are traveling and the timing lines up with an official event in England, attending a local heritage celebration can be a memorable way to see the custom in action.

When Is National Flitch Day in 2026?

National Flitch Day is observed on July 19 each year.

Observations