By NationalToday
You should know some solid trivia about hot dogs, including knowing that the term itself was derived in the 19th century, at a time when German immigrants brought their own culinary traditions with them to the new world. It’s believed they brought to New York America’s first hot dogs, originally referred to as a dachshund sausage — for their long shape that resembled the beloved dachshund pups. Around 1870, Charles Feltman, a German immigrant, began to sell hot dogs out of a stand on Coney Island. He sold over 3,600 frankfurters in a bun that year alone.
While we cannot be completely sure how or even when National Hot Dog Day was created, we do know that the day was created as a nod to National Hot Dog Month in July by the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council to highlight this fan favorite. Hot dogs became a household name in the late 19th century when casual food lover and baseball team owner of the St. Louis Browns — better known to some as the Baltimore Orioles — Chris Von de Ahe brought the two together at his own amusement park.
Celebrating this day is fairly straightforward — just make your hot dog your way, and enjoy it however you’d like! Honestly, in the Dog Days of Summer, who doesn’t like a hot dog with all their favorite fixings?
Some take hot dogs beyond food form. There are also Weiner dog races and other relative, inclusive festivals to consider. We very strongly encourage you to indulge away!
NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY TRADITIONS
Frank-furter-ly speaking, every day is Hot Dog Day. Filling and delicious, the beloved food is enjoyed any time of the day. Common traditions on National Hot Dog Day include firing up the grill to cook hot dogs outdoors with friends and family and topping your hot dogs with your choice of condiments.
Hot dog eating contests are another popular way to celebrate the day. Special deals on hot dogs are also offered by many eateries and retail stores, and you’ll find longer-than-usual queues near hot dog vendors.
NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY BY THE NUMBERS
7 billion – the estimated number of hot dogs consumed by Americans from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
150 million – the number of hot dogs consumed during the Fourth of July holiday.
20.4 million – the number of hot dogs eaten by baseball fans at major-league ballparks during the season.
350 million pounds – the amount of hot dogs purchased from retail stores by Americans.
20 billion – the number of hot dogs consumed by Americans in a year.
70 – the average number of hot dogs consumed per person each year in America.
95% – the percentage of homes in the United States that consume hot dogs.
15% – the percentage of hot dogs purchased from street vendors
9% – the percentage of hot dogs purchased at ballparks.
1900 – the year when the term ‘hot dog’ first appeared in print in “The Oxford English Dictionary.”
