National Popcorn Day

National Popcorn Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to a delicious corn snack, on January 19th. People associate popcorn with watching movies. Today, there are many variants: sweet, salty, with caramel, and more.

History

All National Popcorn Day lovers should know that their favorite snack is not made from just any corn. Popcorn comes from Zea mays everta, which has smaller grains that quickly increase in size and burst.

Popcorn has been known for millennia, as confirmed by archaeological excavations in New Mexico in 1948, where exploded corn kernels dating back to 4-5 thousand years BC were found.

There is also evidence that ancient South American and Mexican cultures, including the Aztecs, consumed popcorn. European colonists learned about popcorn from Native Americans and spread it globally.

Popcorn’s popularity surged in 1885 when its production began on an industrial scale. In 1981, General Mills patented microwave popcorn packets.

Interesting facts

• A popcorn dispenser appeared in a movie theater in 1938. Soon after, the tradition of eating popcorn while watching movies became widespread.
• It is believed that Christopher Columbus brought popcorn to Europe after visiting the American continent.
• Popcorn is very beneficial for the body, containing fiber, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as a large amount of magnesium.

How to celebrate

Watch an interesting movie while enjoying delicious popcorn. Try making your own snack; recipes can be easily found online.

Share National Popcorn Day on social media. Discuss with others when they first tasted popcorn and their experiences.

When is National Popcorn Day in 2025?

National Popcorn Day is observed on January 19 each year.

Observations