National Strawberry Day (U.K., U.S.)

 

National Strawberry Day falls on February 27 every year, adding an extra aphrodisiac to this month of love. Devilishly sweet, and also delightfully low in calories, they’re the perfect food to make you feel naughty and nice at the same time. Grown both around the U.S. and around the world almost year-round, you’re never far from a supplier of this tasty tongue-tickler to help you celebrate National Strawberry Day!

History of National Strawberry Day

Strawberries have grown in the wild for thousands of years, and it was the French who first brought this delicious red berry into their gardens for cultivation in the 14th century. Not long afterward, English Archbishop Thomas Wolsey created the winning combination of strawberries and cream for Henry VIII’s court that so many people still enjoy today.

However, the early species of strawberries were very different from those we feast on now. It wasn’t until 1712 that a French excursion to Chile resulted in the mixing of different types of strawberry plants, and the garden strawberry we know today was born.

In the early 19th century, love for strawberries spread quickly when strawberries and cream were seen as a luxury, and the invention of the railroad meant that they could be transported quickly all around the country. New York produced bumper crops and farms also sprang up in Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and Tennessee. Now, 75% of U.S. strawberries are grown in California, but they are still grown in every state.

The berry’s name may be due to a number of reasons: some argue that it comes from the Old English “streawberige” because of its straw-like fronds. Others suggest that they’re so called because of farmers mulching them with straw, and there are also accounts that the berries were sold on straw skewers at markets. 

The origins of National Strawberry Day are unclear, but it has been celebrated since at least 2013. Its heart-shape and bright red colour make it a symbol of love that is perfect for the romantic month of February.

Pokémon Day

Pokémon Day commemorates the launch of the first Pokémon video games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, in Japan on February 27, 1996, kicking off a global phenomenon that catapulted Pokémon into one of the most popular and successful entertainment properties in the world. Since then, the community of global Pokémon fans — known as Trainers — come together to celebrate their love for the brand on Pokémon Day.

The widespread popularity of Pokémon is more than children trading cards in schoolyards or watching an animation on television. It's about bringing generations of fans together to collect, trade, and play with fellow Trainers. Due to its enduring fandom around the world, Pokémon has had a significant impact on pop culture and entertainment with a unique ability to connect people across different cultures and backgrounds. In addition, the brand is always introducing innovative ways to engage with Pokémon, such as the release of Pokémon GO in 2016, which has allowed fans to encounter and catch digital Pokémon in real-world locations through augmented reality.

5 Popular Pokémon

Pikachu immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks when angered.

Bulbasaur uses the nutrients that are packed into the seed on its back in order to grow.

Charmander has a flame on its tail that shows the strength of its life-force. If Charmander is weak, the flame also burns weakly.

Squirtle sprays a potent foam from its mouth, and after birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell.

Eevee has the ability to evolve into many forms that allow it to adapt smoothly and perfectly to any environment.