It is January 15. Most people are just trying to survive the post-holiday slump or figure out if they’re actually going to stick to those gym resolutions they made two weeks ago. But if you look at the calendar of weird traditions and food holidays, today is actually kind of a big deal. It’s a mix of sugary treats and carb-heavy breakfasts.
Basically, it is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day and National Bagel Day.
Why do we have these days? Honestly, most of them started as marketing ploys by trade groups decades ago, but they’ve taken on a life of their own on social media. People love an excuse to eat something specific. It’s a psychological break from the monotony of a Tuesday or Thursday in the dead of winter.
The Weird History of Strawberry Ice Cream
You might think vanilla or chocolate would take the lead, but strawberry has a pretty prestigious history. It was actually served at the second inauguration of James Madison in 1813. Dolley Madison was a huge fan of the flavor. Back then, getting fresh strawberries in the winter was basically impossible for anyone who wasn't incredibly wealthy, so it was a massive status symbol.
Today, it's the third most popular flavor globally. According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), strawberry consistently ranks in the top five, though it occasionally swaps places with Butter Pecan depending on the region.
Making it right is harder than it looks. Most cheap brands use "strawberry flavor" which is just chemicals. The good stuff—the stuff actually worth celebrating today—uses a method called "maceration." You toss the berries in sugar so they release their juices before mixing them into the cream. If you don't do this, the berries turn into literal ice cubes in the freezer. Nobody wants to break a tooth on a frozen strawberry chunk.
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Why January 15?
It seems counterintuitive to celebrate ice cream in the middle of January. It’s freezing outside in half the world. But that’s exactly why it works. It’s a "counter-seasonal" promotion. Brands realized that sales dip in the winter, so creating a "special day" gives people a reason to head to the frozen aisle when they’d usually be reaching for hot cocoa.
National Bagel Day: More Than Just Cream Cheese
Then we have the bagel. Until a few years ago, National Bagel Day was actually celebrated on February 9th. It shared the date with National Pizza Day. The bagel industry realized they were getting overshadowed by pepperoni and mozzarella, so they lobbied to move their day to January 15. It was a strategic move to get more shelf space and media attention.
The history of the bagel is actually pretty intense. It started in Poland in the 1600s. There’s a common myth that it was created to look like a stirrup to honor King Jan III Sobieski after he defeated the Ottoman Empire, but historians have found mentions of "obwarzanek" (a bagel-like bread) in Polish court documents as early as 1394.
When Jewish immigrants brought the recipe to New York in the late 1800s, it changed everything. For a long time, the bagel trade was controlled by a literal union: Bagel Bakers Local 338. They were so powerful that if they went on strike, the entire city’s bagel supply would dry up instantly. They kept the recipe a closely guarded secret, passed down from father to son.
The Science of the Boil
What makes a bagel a bagel? It’s the boil. If you don't boil the dough before baking it, you're just making a roll with a hole in it. The boiling process "sets" the crust. This creates that chewy, glossy exterior that we associate with a "real" New York bagel.
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Some people swear it’s the water. They say New York City water has a specific mineral content—low in calcium and magnesium—that makes the dough softer. While some scientists agree there’s a slight chemical difference, most modern bakers say it’s more about the technique and the equipment than what's coming out of the tap.
How People Are Actually Celebrating Today
Social media has turned these "National Days" into a goldmine for local businesses. You’ll probably see your local bagel shop offering a "buy one, get one" deal or a cream cheese sampler. On the ice cream side, shops like Baskin-Robbins or even artisanal spots like Salt & Straw often roll out limited-time flavors or discounts.
If you’re looking to participate, don't just go for the generic stuff. Look for:
- Small-batch creameries: They usually use real fruit and high butterfat content.
- Traditional boil-and-bake bagel shops: Avoid the "bread-aisle" bagels that feel like sponges. You want something that requires effort to chew.
- Unique pairings: Some adventurous eaters are actually combining the two today. A toasted plain bagel with a scoop of strawberry ice cream in the middle. It sounds chaotic. It probably is. But it’s a thing.
The Cultural Impact of These Special Days
We live in an era of "micro-holidays." Some critics argue they clutter our calendars and devalue "real" holidays. However, from a psychological standpoint, they provide "micro-joys." Dr. Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, often talks about how intentional treats can improve mood and reduce stress, provided they aren't used as a primary coping mechanism.
It’s about the ritual. Grabbing a bagel with a coworker or taking the kids out for a scoop of pink ice cream creates a memory out of a standard Thursday. In a world that feels increasingly heavy, these low-stakes celebrations offer a bit of levity.
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Beyond the Food: What Else is Happening?
While food takes the spotlight, January 15 also holds historical weight. It’s the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (though the federal holiday is observed on the third Monday of the month). It’s also the day the first Super Bowl was played in 1967. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Tickets cost twelve dollars. Twelve. Imagine that today.
In the world of tech, Wikipedia was launched on this day in 2001. It’s hard to remember what the internet was like before we had a crowdsourced encyclopedia at our fingertips. It changed the way we verify (or argue about) facts forever.
Your To-Do List for Today
Don't let the day pass without a little bit of intentionality. Here is how to actually make the most of it without overcomplicating things.
- Audit your breakfast. If you're going the bagel route, find a shop that actually boils their dough. Ask them. If they look at you like you're crazy, they're probably just selling you bread.
- Support local. Skip the massive chains if you can. The local ice cream shop is struggling more in January than they are in July. A five-dollar scoop makes a bigger difference to them than it does to a multi-billion dollar corporation.
- Learn one new thing. Go to Wikipedia (since it's their birthday) and hit the "Random Article" button. Read the whole thing. It’s a weirdly satisfying way to honor the platform.
- Check your freezer. If you're buying strawberry ice cream, check the ingredients. If "Beet Juice" or "Carmine" is listed, that's where the pink color is coming from. Carmine is actually made from crushed cochineal insects. It’s FDA-approved and totally safe, but it's a fun fact to bring up if you want to gross out your friends while they're eating.
January 15 isn't a day that requires cards or gifts or big family dinners. It's just a day to appreciate the small, specific things that make life a little more interesting. Whether that's a perfectly toasted bagel or a bowl of 19th-century-inspired ice cream, enjoy the moment.