National Ice Cream Day

Surprising to some, President Ronald Reagan is the person to thank for designating the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day and July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984, in proclamation 5219 (National Ice Cream Month and National Ice Cream Day), which lauded the dairy industry. He wanted to commemorate a treat enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation’s population and produced by 10% of the nation’s milk supply. In fact, Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world. When Reagan’s proclamation was officially signed into law, he also called on the U.S. people to pay tribute to ice-cream with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Since then, it’s been one of the most coveted holidays that sparked a tasty tradition celebrated year after year. Get out your scoopers, because it’s time to delight in some ice cream—according to Reagan, it’s your civic duty.