National Pumpkin Day
When is National Pumpkin Day? This holiday is always observed on October 26
When is National Pumpkin Day you ask!? Why it is today, an October 26 holiday. That makes today a very special day. Why do pumpkins deserve a holiday in their honor? It’s because pumpkins are such an important part of our lives from early September and all the way to Thanksgiving. We grow them, decorate with them, and carve them. And, we creatively play with them for pumpkin games and in many other ways. Why, some folks make pumpkins into a boat and race them at festivals.
Finally, we eat them in countless recipes. It has a great taste and blends well with many other fruits and vegetables. No other fruit or vegetable claims anywhere near the amount of attention we give to these bright orange orbs. Interest in pumpkins begins with the fall harvest in September. It peaks on Halloween. But, their presence continues all the way to the Thanksgiving dessert tray.
There’s no better time to celebrate National Pumpkin Day. This holiday is perfectly placed just before Halloween. As a result, it is not overshadowed by the Halloween hoopla. Indeed, the beloved and versatile pumpkin gets its day of well-deserved honor, and I might add a generous amount of glory.
Early humans in Central America have cultivated pumpkins dating back to 5,000 – 7,000 B.C. We’ve had a long time to grow our relationship and develop ways to use this fruit. For several thousand years, it was primarily used as a source of food. Then, Man discovered medicinal uses, too. Among the early medicinal applications include treatment for snake bites and as a cure for freckles. In more recent centuries, medical researchers discovered the seeds help fight prostate cancer. It wasn’t until more recent centuries that we began to use pumpkins for decorating, carving, and most recently for play.
Pumpkin Trivia
- Pumpkins originated in Central America.
- They are a winter squash and a member of the Cucurbitacae family. This includes cucumbers, melons, and watermelons. And it includes gourds, too.
- A pumpkin is a fruit. Most people think of it as a vegetable.
- Pumpkins are 90% water.
- The largest pumpkin ever grown is well over one ton. See it
- The largest pumpkin pie weighed 3,699 pounds and is 20 feet in diameter. More information and a picture
- They are grown all over the world on six of the seven continents, with Antarctica being the sole exception. They are even grown in Alaska.
- A pumpkin is not a Jack O’ Lantern until it is carved.
- In 1584 upon seeing it for the first time, a French explorer called them “gros melons. This translates into Latin as “pepon”, or a large melon. It wasn’t until the 17th century that American colonists first referred to them as pumpkins.
- Pumpkins were once recommended as a cure for freckles.
- They were used as a remedy for snake bites.
- Pumpkin seeds help avoid prostate cancer in men.
- Halloween evolved, in part, from the Celtic tradition of All Hallow’s Eve.
- Native Americans fed pumpkins to their horses.
- Adding pumpkin seeds to the diet of domestic animals aids in weight gain and better overall health of the animal.
- Millions of people practice home canning of fruits, vegetables, and even meats. It is a great way to save money. Home canning extends your enjoyment of the fruits of your garden well into the winter. After all, there is no better taste, than that of a fruit or vegetable that you grew.
- An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed on Thanksgiving.
How to Celebrate National Pumpkin Day
Everything about pumpkins is fun and exciting. As a result, it is easy to celebrate this holiday. And, there are many ways to do so. Here are just a few ideas:
- Buy more pumpkins at a farm market and find even more places to use them for decorating.
- Don’t wait until Carve a Pumpkin Day. Rather, carve one (or two) today.
- Make a pumpkin recipe, or two.
- Bring pumpkin cookies or another pumpkin treat to your work to share with co-workers.
- Have a party today. But, don’t make it completely about Halloween. Rather, make it completely about pumpkins.
- Play pumpkin games.
- Watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”.
- Make plans to grow a giant pumpkin next year. Perhaps, you will break the world record.
Today's Quote
” If you’re ever wondering what to wear, just dress like a pumpkin, you’re good to go.” – – Devendra Banhart
History and Origin of National Pumpkin Day
Amazingly, our research did not find the creator or the origin of this holiday. It is a very important, popular, and fun day. One would think that the creator of this holiday would enjoy the accolades received for creating this day. The earliest reference we found to this holiday was in 1995. Also, this holiday is perfectly celebrated in late October, just before Halloween.
Almost all food-related holidays and special days are referred to as “National”. However, we did not find any documentation confirming this holiday to be a true “National” day. We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation to this effect.
Let’s make it a true national holiday. Both here at Holiday Insights and our sister site Pumpkin Nook, we firmly believe this should be a true national day. So, we encourage you to write to your congressman and senator urging them to pass legislation making this a formal national day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
In addition to the National Pumpkin Spice Day, here are some things that happened on this day:
- The Erie Canal opens, connecting Lake Erie to the Hudson River for commercial shipping. It is the first manmade waterway. (1825)
- The “Gunfight at the OK Corral” occurs. Wyatt Earp, his two brothers, and “Doc” Holliday, have a shootout with the Ike Clanton gang. (1881)
- Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, pop music superstar was born on this day in 1984.
Related Holidays
People who like this holiday will also like:
Pumpkin Holidays – Certainly, you should celebrate them all.
More October 26 Holidays
Here is another October 26 holiday for you to enjoy and celebrate:
More About Today
Recipe of the Day: Pumpkin Stew
Also See: Pumpkin Recipes Galore and Holiday Recipes and Halloween Recipes
Pumpkin Nook – Visit the folks that know everything about pumpkins. Halloween, too.
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for National Pumpkin Day or just about any October calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it! Without a doubt, it’s fun for both the sender and the recipient.
Holiday Insights, where every day in October is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. October holidays are no exception. Consequently., at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.
