December 22, 2014 – NATIONAL DATE NUT BREAD DAY – FOREFATHERS’ DAY

                                    NATIONAL DATE NUT BREAD DAY 

National Date Nut Bread Day is celebrated each year on December 22 and by some sources also on September 8.

Dates

Believed to have originated around Iraq, dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and the Indus Valley for thousands of years.  They have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE.
The Spaniards introduced dates into Mexico and California in 1765.
Dates provide essential nutrients and are a very good source of dietary potassium.  In ripe dates, the sugar content is about 80% with the remainder consisting of protein, fiber and trace elements of boron, cobalt, copper, fluorine, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Nuts

Many nuts are good sources of vitamins E and B2 and are also rich in protein, folate fiber and essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and selenium.

Several studies have shown that those who consume nuts on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. (CHD)  It was in 1993 that nuts were first linked to protections against CHD.   Since that time, many clinical trials have found that consumption of various nuts such as almonds and walnuts can lower serum LDL cholesterol concentrations.

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Add the two, dates and nuts, into the mix when making a loaf of quick bread and you will end up with a delicious treat.

Enjoy the following “tried and true” Date Nut Bread recipes.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/date-nut-spice-bread-recipe/index.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/breakfast/DateWalnutBread.html
http://www.food.com/recipe/1947-date-nut-bread-143942
http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/1278/orange-date-nut-bread

HAVE A HAPPY AND DELICIOUS NATIONAL DATE NUT BREAD DAY !
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NATIONAL DATE NUT BREAD DAY HISTORY
Within our research, we could not find the creator of National Date Nut Bread, an “unofficial” national holiday.

FOREFATHERS’ DAY

Forefathers’ Day is a holiday celebrated in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 22. It is a commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1620. It was introduced in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1769.
Forefathers Day is celebrated every year by the Old Colony Club, established in 1769 “to honor the forefathers”. The celebration begins at 6:00 AM with a march by members to the top of Cole’s Hill next to Massasoit’s statue, followed by a reading of a proclamation honoring the forefathers and a ritual firing of the club’s cannon.
The Old Colony Club and the Mayflower Society both include a succotash dinner as part of their celebration. Sauquetash was recorded as a part of the first Thanksgiving. Unlike later versions of succotash, in Plymouth succotash is served as a broth containing large pieces of fowl and meat that are sliced at the table.
When the 22nd falls on a Sunday, the Old Colony Club celebrates Forefathers Day on the following Monday.
There is some good-hearted dispute between the Old Colony Club and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The simple fact of the celebration falling on separate days permits members of both societies to participate in both celebrations.  In adjusting the date to the Gregorian calendar, the anniversary was erroneously established on December 22 instead of December 21.