December 18 - National Roast Suckling Pig Day

 

Happy National Roast Suckling Pig Day! On December 18, today recognizes a savory dish that takes some planning to prepare. The results, however, are worth the effort. 

A suckling pig is a young pig, between the ages of two to six weeks, which is still fed by its mother’s milk. The pig is roasted whole until the skin is crisp. The meat is tender and succulent. 

 

 When is National Bacon Day? 

Suckling pig can range between 8-30 pounds and expect between $12-$20 a pound depending on the market.  

These factors coupled with the daunting task of roasting a whole (granted small) pig make the finished product a delicacy most anywhere in the world. 

With the right tools and ingredients, the roasting process is not that complicated. If you’ve roasted a whole turkey, you can cook a suckling pig.  

 
Only the smallest piglets will fit into most standard home ovens. Those at the lower weight range will provide about twenty adult servings. 

 
HOW TO OBSERVE 

 
On National Roast Suckling Pig Day, do you feel up to the challenge? If you do, this celebration challenges us to give this recipe a try: Whole Roasted Suckling Pig. 

https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/whole-roasted-suckling-pig-13693 

One way to take on this savory task is by dividing up the responsibilities. Invite others to help you conquer and then savor the suckling pig.  

Use #RoastSucklingPigDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

While National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this savory day, they hope you won’t make a pig out of yourself enjoying it. 

#RoastSucklingPigDay 

@chowhound 

@nichecinema 

December 18 - National Underdog Day

 

Happy National Underdog Day!  Today recognizes that America loves its underdogs. Each year on the third Friday in December, we cheer on the teams and individuals who are statistically expected to lose in competition. 

In sporting events, people tend to rally around the person or team that is not favored to win. 

An underdog is a person or team in competition most likely expected to lose. This expectation can be based on statistical data, opinion or overall standings. When the underdog wins, we call it an upset.   

The first recorded uses of the term occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century; its initial meaning was “the beaten dog in a fight.” 

Also known as a Cinderella story, the underdog has long piqued Americans’ interest. 

Whether in a sporting event, business, education or arts, when success is a long shot and a struggle as well, Americans root and cheer for the underdog.  

We also love books and movies about the underdog. The Rocky film franchise tells of an underdog that the crowd quickly wants to see win. 

American motivation speaker and author Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger became a real-life underdog when he walked on to the University of Notre Dame football field in 1974. His early life and career at Notre Dame were the inspiration for Rudy (1993). 

However, not all underdogs are athletes, though. Some come in the form of scientists or authors. Or, calculus students as portrayed in the movie Stand and Deliver (1988). 

One of the modern time’s most beloved authors went from underdog to success as if by magic.  

Before receiving a nod from Bloombury to publish her first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), J.K. Rowling was a broke, single mom. Today, she is worth at least $670 million. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Underdogs inspire us. They remind us of our potential. They motivate us to get out there and make a difference in our life and the lives of others. Tell your underdog story.  

Use #NationalUnderdogDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Underdog Day was first observed in 1976. 

DATES 
December 17, 2021 
December 16, 2022 
December 15, 2023 
December 20, 2024 
December 19, 2025 
December 18, 2026 
December 17, 2027 
December 15, 2028 
December 21, 2029 

#NationalUnderdogDay 

#GonnaFlyNow

@harrypottermovie 

@HannaBarbera 

@nichecinema