April 2, 2021 – National Ferret Day | National Peanut Butter And Jelly Day

Did You Know That The First PB&J Sandwiches Were Served In Fancy Tea Rooms?

Welcome to April 2, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate surprisingly helpful pets and everyone’s favorite mash-up. 

When we think of domesticated animals, dogs, horses, and cows spring to mind. But one overlooked animal helper is the ferret. Since they were domesticated around 2,500 years ago, these furry little critters have helped farmers keep rodents away from grain storage. Because their long, slim bodies give them the ability to easily get down into holes, they were used to chase rabbits and other rodents from their burrows. Incidentally, this is where we get the expression “ferret out.” But anyone who owns one as a pet knows that they’re also very sweet, loyal and affectionate. On National Ferret Day, celebrate a pet that has more than a fuzzy appeal.

While it’s hard to imagine good old peanut butter and jelly as anything but kid stuff, these sandwiches got their start in the early 1900s in New York city’s finest tea rooms. Then in the 1920s the price of peanut butter fell, and kids finally got their hands on them.  During World War II, peanut butter was one of the only food commodities that wasn’t rationed.  This protein packed ingredient became even more packable when a layer of jelly kept the sandwich from gluing the mouths of soldiers shut.  The winning combination finally earned its stripes in 1968 when the JM Smucker Company started jarring Goober.  With vertical layers of alternating peanut butter and jelly, this mashup is still sold around the world today.  On National Peanut Butter And Jelly Day, get your mitts on an all time favorite that satisfies the kid in all of us.  

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson.  Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.


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