National Ice Cream Day Celebration Today, July 17

By Charles Ty on Jul 17, 2011 in Announcement, Events, United States, World • No comments

Today, July 17, 2011 marks the 27th celebration of the National Ice Cream Day as reported by various international news sites. As such, the International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages all Americans to celebrate the event by eating their favorite hard and soft-served flavored ice creams.

It can be remembered that 27 years ago, in 1984, US President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month appointing the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day.

Different Flavors of Ice Cream
Image Credit: Carval.com

Ronald Reagan recognized the popularity of ice cream in the United States as 90% of the nation’s population consumes ice cream. He also stated that these two events should be observed with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

“Ronald Reagan lived and led with a spirit of optimism and good humor. As we celebrate the Centennial of his birth, National Ice Cream Day, designated by President Reagan, is a great time to honor his life and legacy and enjoy this wonderfully American treat. Here at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, we have a large cooler of ice cream treats, and I always think of Ronald Reagan and National Ice Cream Month when I enjoy one,” said Stewart McLaurin, executive director of the Reagan Centennial for the Reagan Foundation.

The International Ice Cream Association claimed that the U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales. Roughly 9 percent of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to create ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation’s dairy industry.