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International Day of the Nacho

Celebrate International Day of the Nacho with friends - get creative and make your own nachos with favorite ingredients, dips, and toppings!
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When it is?
October 21
Location Icon
Country
International
Introduction

Bring your appetite and get ready to celebrate International Day of the Nacho on October 21! This day was created in 2018 to honor the delicious snack that has been around for centuries. The first nachos were made in 1943 by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya at a Mexican restaurant located in Piedras Negras, Mexico. Since then, nachos have become an international sensation and are enjoyed by people all over the world.

History of International Day of the Nacho

The International Day of the Nacho is October 21 and its origins  centers around Ignacio Anaya, who worked at the Old Victory Club in Piedras Negras in 1943. The Old Victory Club was situated near an American military base. One day, a group of American military wives went on a shopping trip. When they were done, hungry, they approached several restaurants but all of the restaurants in town were already closed. With stomachs rumbling, the women approached the last open restaurant, the Old Victory Club.

 As the nachos legend continues, Ignacio Anaya worked either as a chef or a maitre d’ and because the restaurant rush was over, there wasn’t that much food left to offer the group. Feeling a bit sorry for them, Anaya offered to see what he could find and prepare himself. Eventually, he came out with a new Mexican hors d’oeuvre, a “nacho special.” Here’s some added trivia — Ignacio named the dish after himself because “Nacho” is short for Ignacio. According to “Time” magazine, Ignacio “sliced and fried some tortilla chips, covered them with shredded cheddar and sliced jalapenos and put the concoction in the oven for a couple of minutes.” The result was a new Tex-Mex classic dish that Americans and Mexicans have enjoyed ever since!

International Day of the Nacho Dates

International Day of the Nacho Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1943</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of the Nacho</div><div class='timeline-text'>Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya first created nachos in Piedras Negras, Mexico, beginning their journey as a beloved snack.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1977</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Nachos at Sports Venues</div><div class='timeline-text'>Frank Liberto introduced a variation of nachos at a Texas Rangers baseball game where they quickly became a popular stadium food.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Nachos: A Global Snack</div><div class='timeline-text'>Nachos gained international popularity as they began appearing in bars, restaurants, and cinemas worldwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Record-Breaking Nacho Dish</div><div class='timeline-text'>The largest dish of nachos ever made, weighing 2,126.89 kg, was created at the University of Kansas.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Day of the Nacho</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first official International Day of the Nacho was celebrated, solidifying nachos as an iconic snack worthy of its own holiday.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate International Day of the Nacho

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Bake your own nacho chips</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making your own chips is a great way to enjoy the perfect crunch of freshness and flavor. All you need is a tortilla, some oil and seasoning, and a baking sheet. Cut the tortillas into triangles, brush with oil, sprinkle with your favorite seasonings, and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a nacho party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite all your friends over for an evening of nachos! Lay out all the ingredients so everyone can make their own custom nacho plate. Have fun coming up with creative toppings like guacamole or diced jalapenos.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a restaurant featuring nachos</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find some local restaurants that serve up delicious nachos. Whether you're looking for traditional Mexican style nachos or something more unique, there are plenty of options out there.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a nacho eating contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family together for a friendly competition. See who can eat the most nachos in one sitting! The winner gets bragging rights as the champion nacho eater.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a nacho cake</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Surprise everyone with a unique twist on dessert by making a cake that looks and tastes like nachos! Layer chips, cheese, beans and all sorts of toppings to craft an amazing edible masterpiece.</p></div></div>

Why We Love International Day of the Nacho

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Nachos are a classic crowd-pleaser</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Everyone loves nachos! Whether you're at a sports game, a party, or just hanging out at home, nachos are always a hit. This holiday gives us an excuse to indulge in this delicious and beloved snack.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to get creative with toppings</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On International Day of the Nacho, you can let your imagination run wild with different toppings and flavor combinations. From traditional toppings like cheese and jalapenos, to more unique options like pulled pork or avocado, the possibilities are endless!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Nachos are perfect for sharing</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Nachos are a great dish to share with friends and family. They bring people together and make for a fun and social dining experience. So gather your loved ones and celebrate this holiday with a big plate of nachos!</p></div></div>

5 Shocking Facts for International Nacho Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nacho Ingredients Have Deep Cultural Roots</h3><p class='facts-text'>The basic ingredients of nachos – maize, beans, and chili – have been staple foods in the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years, dating all the way back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nachos Got Their Big Break at World's Fair</h3><p class='facts-text'>Nachos gained significant attention at the 1964 New York World's Fair when a company selling tortilla chips also offered nachos as a new alternative to their classic tortilla offerings.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nachos have Their Own Museum Exhibit</h3><p class='facts-text'>In a testament to the cultural significance of nachos, The National Museum of American History even houses an exhibit dedicated to the story of Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya and his creation - the nachos.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hosting City Celebrates Nachos Fest Every Year</h3><p class='facts-text'>Piedras Negras, the Mexican city where nachos were invented, hosts an International Nacho Festival each year in October, including competitions for the largest nacho and the best-tasting nacho.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Nachos Have Made a Literary Impact</h3><p class='facts-text'>The popularity of the snack has even inspired literature, as noted in the children's book "Dragon Loves Tacos," where the dragon states its preference for nachos without spicy salsa.</p></div></div>

International Day of the Nacho FAQs

When is International Day of the Nacho?

International Day of the Nacho is celebrated on October 21 every year. In 2024 International Day of the Nacho will occur on a Monday.

International Day of the Nacho Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Oct 21

Saturday

2024

Oct 21

Monday

2025

Oct 21

Tuesday

2026

Oct 21

Wednesday

2027

Oct 21

Thursday

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