National Picnic Day

Today’s Food History

on this day in…

1564 and 1616 William Shakespeare was born. He died on the same date 52 years later. There are many references to food in Shakespeare’s works. “Let the sky rain potatoes.” (‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’). “Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers.” (‘Romeo and Juliet’).

1895 Purdy and Peters were issued a patent for a “design for spoons.”

1947 Glenn Cornick of the music group ‘Jethro Tull‘ was born.

1982 The Conch Republic (Key West & the Florida Keys) seceded from the United States to protest an INS (Immigration & Naturalization Service) roadblock on the only road into the Keys.

1985 Coca-Cola announced it was changing its 99 year old secret formula. New Coke was a big flop.

1992 The first McDonald’s in Beijing, China opened. It is the world’s largest McDonald’s, with 28,000 square feet, seating for 700 and 1,000 employees.

1993 Cesar Chavez died. He was the founder of the United Farm Workers Union.