Posted on 11/17/2025 9:18:01 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY
On November 17th, National Baklava Day fills the kitchen with an aroma of a sweet and flaky pastry. Baklava's sweet layers of texture and flavor are created between sheets of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey.
#NationalBaklavaDay
Many believe Baklava to have originated with the Turkic people in Central Asian nations. However, many countries prepare the dessert in a variety of ways. The word “Baklava” first appeared in English in 1650.
If you've never tried baklava, try sampling the many varieties. Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can be used. The filling can be composed of raisins, dates, prunes, and even figs. Most baklava recipes call for cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves - sometimes all three spices.
Preparing this dessert may be somewhat time-consuming. However, it is a treat worth the work and the wait.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY
Try your hand at this complex dessert. It will be a satisfying achievement for any home cook. We've even provided a couple of recipes for you to try. However, if you prefer, frequent your local bakery. They willl be happy to show you their specials. When you do, give them a shout-out. And be sure to share with a friend or two while using #NationalBaklavaDay on social media.
Use #NationalBaklavaDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL BAKLAVA DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday.
November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History
1800
The Sixth United States Congress convenes in Washington D.C. for the first time. Even though many rooms remain incomplete, substantial progress allowed both the House of Representatives and the Senate to begin their sessions in the Nation's Capital.
1857
The U.S. Patent Office issues H.N. Wadsworth patent No. 18,653 for a new and improved Tooth-Brush.
1869
After more than 10 years of construction, the Suez Canal opens, creating a shipping lane between the Mediterranean and the Red seas.
1888
The U.S. Patent Office issues patent No. 388,850 to George Eastman for his box camera. The inventor also registered the trademark name, Kodak, on the same day.
1896
The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League began to play at Pittsburgh's Schenley Park Casino.
November 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Grace Abbott - 1878
Abbott dedicated her career to child labor policies and relief programs for immigrants. She headed the Children's Bureau under President Warren G. Harding and while she saw a constitutional amendment against child labor, the states did not ratify it.
Soichiro Honda - 1906
In 1948, the Japanese engineer founded the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. with Takeo Fujisawa. Their first product is the D-type motorcycle.
Winson Hudson - 1916
An early Civil Rights activist, Anger Winson Gates established the Leake County chapter of the NAACP in Mississippi. For 25 years, she attempted to register to vote. But persistent voter suppression prevented Gates from registering until 1962.
William H. Hastie - 1904
The American attorney and civil rights advocate became the first African American named to the federal magistrate in 1937. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Hastie to judge of the Federal District Court in the Virgin Islands.
Danny DeVito - 1944
The award-winning actor, producer, and comedian gained his first critical attention in the role of Louie De Palma in the comedy series Taxi. Other credits include Big Fish, Get Shorty, Batman Returns, and Matilda.
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I made it once......the hard part was to force myself to stop eating it.
Someone had to eat it all, you made a sacrifice for everybody.............
Dang!
I moved a couple years ago, love where I live now, but do miss some aspects of the old place - one of which was an awesome Greek bakery a few miles away that makes excellent baklava! It’s now 1h15m away.
Sam’s usually has good Baklava this time of year!.............
Hey, that’s every day. Same goes for ice cream, pizza, uh, the LEDs on my scale are spelling out “HELP”...
My worst day was when I made a tray...total about 10,000 calories...about 66 pieces...ate about half of it in one day.....I am not proud of my weakness, but it is very easy to eat each piece, one by one...
I have the same problem with pumpkin pie...and this is the season....
These "empty nest" bonuses work for me.
Is it my imagination or are these “national food days” all touting things people over the age of 4 should not be eating?
It’s just random..................
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