Observed annually on January 15^th, National Bagel Day is a holiday that pays homage to the dense and chewy bread product dating back to the 16^th century.

Today, bagels are enjoyed in a variety of ways and topped with numerous ingredients, including cream cheese, goat cheese, avocado, peanut butter and bananas, deli meat, jelly, butter, hummus, salmon, pastrami, or marshmallow fluff.

So go out there, grab your favorite bagel, and top it however you want for this great unofficial holiday.

The History of Bagels & National Bagel Day

The modern bagel is believed to be a direct descendant of a ringed Polish bread product known as obwarzanek, a food that was invented during the late 14th century. While it’s not known exactly when the bagel was first created, there are records dating back to the 17th century when it was given as gifts to women who had just given birth in Krakow, Poland.

It was around this time that it became a significant part of the Slavic diet from the 1600s onward. During the 19th century, Eastern European immigrants brought bagels with them when they emigrated to the United States. However, up until the 1960s and 1970s, bagels weren’t mainstream food in America. They were made and sold mainly in the niche Jewish market.

During the 1970s and 1980s, bagels began to gain popularity in the mainstream, partly due to the increased popularity of “ethnic foods” and also when Lender’s Bagels started marketing their frozen bagels with entertaining television commercials.

In 1984, Kraft acquired Lender’s Bagels and began aggressively marketing bagels in the United States. From the 1980s through the 1990s, bagels became a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. Today, bagels enjoy all-time popularity in the United States.

Unfortunately, no one really knows who invented National Bagel Day. All that is known is that it was started sometime during the 2000s. The only thing that is certain is that whoever created this holiday did the world a great service.

Fun Bagel Facts

• Bagels are always round.
• Bagels are also known as beigels.
• Bagels are boiled before they are baked.
• The most popular bagel flavor is plain.
• The second most popular bagel flavor is sesame.
• The name “bagel” comes from the German word “bougel,” which means bracelet.

Celebrating National Bagel Day

If you’re looking for a reason to enjoy a nice bagel with your favorite topping, then this day might just be a blessing for you. Go out and purchase your favorite bagels and have yourself a good time. If you’re on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalBagelDay when posting all of your awesome bagel pics!