HAPPY #NATIONAL HOT DOG DAY!
By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs, who’s loyal to Hebrew National, with mustard only.
Here are some of our favorite hot dog-related records!
Hot dogs in Space!
Mission specialist Don Thomas holds hot dog with two hands on Space Shuttle Columbia, 1997. NARA ID 23187629.
US Coastguard: “EVEN THE CODFISH GO FOR THEM”!!!
Coast Guardsmen ice fishing in the frozen fjord use hot dogs for bait. NARA ID 205580253.
Watch out for… EXPLODING KETCHUP!
Early ketchup was made from fermented skins and cores - tomato “leftovers” that could explode and burst their containers, so benzoate of soda was added a preservative.
The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 regulated ketchup—and its rotting, explosive tomato ingredients. In 1909, the company making “Squire Tomato Catsup” was prosecuted and fined $50 for making ketchup from “Decomposed Material!“
Enjoy ketchup with your hot dogs, but not the stuff “made from decomposed material”! National Archives ID 5710028.
HOT DOGS… and CORSAGES?
Michigan State football game, 1950. NARA ID 45648833.
HOT DOGS FIT FOR A KING!
State visit of the British King and Queen (6/11/1939) included FDR picnic with hot dogs! Story from the Washington Post, menu from the FDR Library: The British Royal Visit.
MORE Historic Hot Dogs!
WWI hot dogs, Navy Training Camp in Seattle, WA, 1918. NARA ID 45512144.
NYC pushcart advertising “frankfurts” with sauerkraut or onions, 1939. NARA ID 535710.
More online:
- What’s Cooking Wednesday–Exploding Ketchup! Pieces of History post by Hilary Parkinson.
- Tumblr: National French Fry Day
- Online exhibit: What’s Cooking Uncle Sam?
- Pieces of History: Hot Dogs and Diplomacy — Relish The Legacy!