National Watermelon Day is observed because the succulent, reviving watermelon is deserving of its own day. This fruit has been cultivated since 2000 B.C., with the first documented watermelon harvest occurring in Egypt approximately 5,000 years ago.
Did you know that cantaloupe contains 92 percent water? Why then is it so refreshing? This delicious, succulent fruit has been enjoyed by humans for millennia, and it all began in Ancient Egypt. According to legend, watermelon cultivation in the Nile Valley originated in the second millennium B.C. Even watermelon seeds were discovered in the mausoleum of King Tut! National Watermelon Day is observed on August 3, when this ancient fruit is celebrated with a feast of juiciness and flavour.
National Watermelon Day is observed because the succulent, reviving watermelon is deserving of its own day. This fruit has been cultivated since 2000 B.C., with the first documented watermelon harvest occurring in Egypt approximately 5,000 years ago. On sites of the 12th Egyptian Dynasty, including King Tutankhamen’s tomb, remnants of watermelon and its seeds have been discovered. In ancient Egyptian inscriptions, depictions of various varieties of watermelon were also discovered.
The sweet fruit we enjoy today is the consequence of mutations resulting from a millennium of cultivation. In the Kalahari Desert in Africa, watermelon seeds were sold to merchants travelling the trade routes. From there, watermelon cultivation spread throughout Africa. The progenitor of the watermelon originated in Africa and then migrated to the Mediterranean region and the rest of Europe. By the end of the ninth century, the cultivation of watermelons was widespread in China and the rest of Asia.
The word ‘watermelon’ first appeared in the English dictionary in 1615, according to “The Dictionary of American Food and Drink” by John Mariani. Watermelon is commonly referred to as a form of melon, but it is not a member of the Cucumis genus. A watermelon’s rind is dark green with yellow stripes or patches. There are over 300 varieties of watermelon available in the United States, ranging from crimson to white and with various shapes and sizes.
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Watermelon is primarily composed of water. But what if you substituted alcohol for some of that water? Cut a hole in a watermelon, insert a funnel, and pour vodka inside to host an alcoholic celebration with your guests. The remainder is… well, you likely won’t remember it.
It’s no surprise that watermelons belong to the same family as pumpkins, as they can also be carved. Carve a watermelon rose, a watermelon shark, or a watermelon container to express your creativity. Options are limitless.
The Japanese have perfected the craft of watermelon slicing. In the game Suikawari (similar to a pinata, but without the candy and paper mache), participants are blindfolded, spun three times, and given the opportunity to use a wooden stick to crack open a watermelon. But instead of confectionery, you are pelted with watermelon pulp.
Watermelon rinds are typically discarded, but they are nutritious, rich in nutrients, and have numerous health benefits.
There are 1200 distinct types of watermelon, but the four primary categories are seeded, seedless, yellow, and icebox.
In 2013, Chris Kent of Tennessee grew the world’s heaviest cantaloupe, which weighed 350.5 pounds and set the Guinness World Record.
Watermelons are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of malignancies such as lung, stomach, and prostate.
Since the 1970s, Japanese farmers have been cultivating watermelons in the shape of cubes by placing them in square-shaped boxes; watermelons in the shape of pyramids, hearts, and human features have also recently been perfected and marketed as novelty items.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 3 | Thursday |
| 2024 | August 3 | Saturday |
| 2025 | August 3 | Sunday |
| 2026 | August 3 | Monday |
| 2027 | August 3 | Tuesday |
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