National Sardines Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Sardines Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Sardines Day is celebrated on November 24th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Sardines Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you should know about National Sardines Day.

📅 What day is National Sardines Day 2024?

In 2024, National Sardines Day is on Friday, November 24th. It is the 4th Friday in November; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the exciting details and facts about November 24, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on November 24, National Sardine Day is celebrated to honor the popular and nutritious fish known as sardines. It is fascinating to note that the term “sardine” originated from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia during the 15th century. Sardines are incredibly abundant and widely consumed worldwide, serving various purposes such as bait, human consumption, fish meal, fish oil, canning, drying, and salting. These small fish offer numerous health benefits due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D, B12, and B2, as well as phosphate and calcium. Tin cans are a common packaging method for sardines, and countries like Morocco, Japan, and China are significant exporters of this delicacy.

📜 National Sardines Day History

The invention of canning by a Frenchman named Nicolas Appert had a significant impact on the sardine industry. Appert’s idea, presented in his cookbook “The Art of Preserving All Kinds of Animal and Vegetable Substances for Several Years” in 1810, revolutionized the way food was preserved. An Englishman named Joseph-Pierre Colin combined Appert’s concept with the traditional sardine preservation method from Brittany, resulting in the creation of canned sardines.

By 1836, Colin was producing around 30,000 cans per year, and this number increased significantly with the establishment of additional smaller plants, reaching 50 million cans. However, the sardine population in France’s coastal waters declined dramatically, causing Spain and Portugal to surpass France in canned sardine exports before the 19th century ended. The Franco-Prussian War in 1870 worsened the situation for France, as it halted their shipments to North America, allowing American businesses to enter the market.

The American sardine industry experienced a golden age with the establishment of the Eagle Preserved Fish Company in Eastport, New York, in 1875. Small sardine factories emerged along the coasts of Maine and California, leading to an increase in the global shipment of Atlantic herring. However, the sardine industry on the West Coast began to decline in the 1940s due to World War II. Two decades later, the East Coast also witnessed a decline in canned sardine sales, and by 2010, the last facility in Maine closed its doors.

Despite the decline in the sardine industry in the United States, sardines are still highly regarded as a delicacy in Spain and Portugal. In these countries, it is customary to allow canned sardines to mature, similar to wine, before consuming them.

✅ National Sardines Day Facts

🔖 21 species, but called sardine or pilchard
There are 21 different types of sardines, with approximately six of them falling under the category of pilchards and more than 12 of them being classified as sardines.

🔖 They’re the second most eaten fish

🔖 Age as fine wine
Certain parts of Europe permit canned sardines to undergo a lengthy aging process before they are ready to be eaten.

👍 Why Is National Sardines Day Important

Each country has its own unique tradition for preserving and cooking sardines. Sardines are fried or roasted on a stick in Croatia; grilled or cured in salt and olive oil in Greece; and eaten raw, fried, or in different curries in India. Sardines have their own celebrations in Greece, and they are the primary delicacy for St. Anthony’s Day in Portugal.
Sardines are among the best-eating fish in terms of nutritional value. They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help with brain function, cut the risk of cardiovascular disease, and regulate blood sugar levels. They are also high in protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and other nutrients.

National Sardines Day, whether or not it is considered low-end cuisine in America, can be enjoyable if done correctly. You might spend the day with a buddy or loved one making local and international sardine dishes. Better still, take a loved one to one of the American sardine museums to learn about the sardine industry’s fascinating history.

🙂 How To Observe National Sardines Day

⚡ Visit the Maine sardine museum

⚡ Cook a sardine dish
Sardines are a highly adaptable type of fish that can be cooked in numerous ways and incorporated into a wide range of dishes. They can be roasted or deep-fried, enjoyed raw in sushi, or grilled to perfection. Feel free to experiment with adding sardines to your preferred meals, whether it’s spaghetti, noodles, tacos, rice, pizza, or even toast.

⚡ Go out for sardines
Between the 1940s and 1960s, the Maine coastal areas were the hub of the United States’ sardine golden age. While the final cannery closed in 2010, the Maine Coast Sardine History Museum allows visitors to relive those glory days. Plan a trip with a companion to see this historic location from start to finish.

📅 When is National Sardines Day?

View all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Food & Beverage and other 🔗 Healthy Food holidays.

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