I recall early July of 1974, when I arrived in the United
States.
I grew up in
Israel, a dual citizen of both countries. I had no memory of my ten-month visit
to the USA when I was two years old, and so for me this was a get-acquainted-with-America
summer.
One of the first
things that struck me was a billboard that stated—ready for this?
July is National
Pickle Month
I asked the
American with whom my friend and I stayed what made it “national.” Was this a
joke?
“Congress decreed
it so,” she said.
Really? Like, they
have nothing better to do?
I remember
realizing something about my other county: it was playful, whimsical, and a wee
bit silly. Having grown up in a country where the government’s work is serious existential
business, the United States seemed downright Disneyland-goofy.
Yes, there were ongoing
hearings that culminated for the first time in U.S. history in a president resigning
only a month later. There were protests and divisions over the pain of a war
the nation had just lost, (despite calling the end of our involvement in
Vietnam a “peace agreement”) and so on.
But congress still
had the energy to declare a National Pickle Month.
Something about
this still sums America for me.
So, in addition to celebrating this pickle before it ends, I thought I’d list a few more such garnishes below. Let’s celebrate while we still have the energy to jitterbug in those parties:
January 4: National Spaghetti Day🍝
February 5: Shower with a Friend Day😳
March 1: National Pig Day 🐖(hey, it’s also my birthday)
A comprehensive list
can be glimpsed here.
But to me, National
Pickle Month reigns supreme.
