Posted on 08/05/2025 6:36:24 AM PDT by Red Badger
NATIONAL OYSTER DAY
Get slurping on August 5th with National Oyster Day! Oysters are enjoyed as seafood in many parts of the world.
#NATIONALOYSTERDAY
Did you know there are over 100 different species of oysters? Interestingly, oysters tend to take on the characteristics of the water in which they live. Because of this, they’re typically named after the body of water in which they grow.
While many people enjoy fresh oysters raw, the shellfish can also be savored in multiple other ways. As a side dish, oysters add immense flavor to Thanksgiving dressing. They also make delicious stews, soups, and chowders. Other recipes will bake, grill or broil the oysters with or without the shell.
These mollusks provide valuable nutrients whether eaten cooked or raw. Since oysters supply a high amount of vitamins B12 and A, they may benefit heart, skin, and brain health. These vitamins also support lung and kidney function. Additionally, oysters benefit the environment since their valves are capable of cleansing an ecosystem of pollutants.
Here are some other exciting oyster facts:
The Chesapeake Bay produces more oysters in the world than any other body of water.
The world loves oysters! We consume almost two billion pounds of oysters each year around the world.
Illustrating how the body of water influences the flavor of the oysters, the east and west coast U.S. oysters taste very different from each other. On the east coast, oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. However, west coast oysters take on a creamy texture and a sweet flavor.
Only one out of every 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL OYSTER DAY
Make or order a dish that uses oysters as one of its main ingredients. Share a recipe with us. You can celebrate in other ways, too.
Read up on oysters. We suggest The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Texture by Rowan Jacobsen or Appreciating Oysters: An Eater's Guide to Craft Oysters from Tide to Table by Dana Deskiewicz.
Watch the documentary The Oyster Divers by Erin DeJesus.
Explore the world of cooking with oysters.
Use #NationalOysterDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL OYSTER DAY HISTORY
The origins of National Oyster Day have not been determined.
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Notable Birthdays for August 5
Gertrude Rush (1880-1962) - The first Black female lawyer in Iowa.
Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) - Astronaut who was the first man to walk on the Moon.
Joe Boyd (1942-Still Living) - Founder Hannibal Records.
Loni Anderson (1945-2025) - Actress who is widely recognized for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on the WKRP in Cincinnati.
Maureen McCormick (1956-Still Living) - Actress who played Marcia on The Brady Bunch.
Reid Hoffman (1967-Still Living) - Co-founder of LinkedIn.
Memorable Events for August 5
1861 - President Lincoln signs the first income tax in to law (Revenue Act of 1861) to help fund the war effort (Civil War).
1861 - Enlistment in the Union Army increases from 3 months to 2 years.
1861 - The U.S. Army abolished flogging, considering it cruel.
1882 - The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (ExxonMobil) is established.
1884 - The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid.
1891 - American Express issues the first world's first traveler's cheques.
1914 - The first electric traffic light is installed in Cleveland, OH.
1957 - American Bandstand debuts on the ABC.
1974 - Joan Jett forms her rock group the Runaways.
1998 - Whose Line Is It Anyway? premiers on ABC.
The record for the most oysters eaten in one sitting is 47 dozen, or 564 oysters, set by Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas during a competitive eating contest. This remarkable feat was achieved in just eight minutes.
The Guardian
Jonathan Swift: “He was a bold man that first ate an oyster.”
I tried, O Red One.
But it looks like no one wants to think about swallowing slimy snot loogies.
Oh well.
I’ll eat them cooked, stewed, fried, fricasseed, smoked, baked, broiled, boiled or grilled, but NEVER RAW!............
My Dad liked oyster dressing on Thanksgiving.
RIP Pop.
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