National Drinking Straw Day
National Drinking Straw Day:
Celebrated annually on 3rd January, the National Drinking Straw day is observed to acknowledge the impact of drinking straws that have made our lives better, and our ice-cold beverages much easier to enjoy.
| Year | Date | Day | Where |
| 2021 | 3rd January | Sunday | United States |
| 2022 | 3rd January | Monday | United States |
| 2023 | 3rd January | Tuesday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalDrinkingStrawDay
#DrinkingStrawDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on January 3rd:
National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
Why National Drinking Straw Day?
It’s amazing how a small invention like a straw can create significant changes in drinking etiquettes all around the world. We have semi-consciously thanked these straws at least semi-consciously on various occasions such as dark movie theatres or when drinks are full of substances that you don’t want in your mouth.
Drinking straws have been lurking around in history since 3000 BC, associated with the Sumerian civilization. These straws were thought to be used by the Sumerians to avoid the intake of solid substances that settled at the bottom of a brewed substance that they consumed. A Sumerian tomb with a relic that looked like a gold tube is thought to be straw.
In the 1800s the cheap and soft Ryegrass straw was trending, it would turn into an unpleasant mush in liquids. Marvin C Stone from Washington DC had other reasons to dislike the Ryegrass straw. He disliked the grassy taste interfering with his Mint Julep and he decided, no more Ryegrass straws! He took a piece of paper and wrapped it on a pencil, then slid the tube that was formed through one end of the pencil, fixed the ends using glue, and voila! The paper straw was born.
Marvin C Stone who was the owner of a paper cigarette holder company furthered his innovation by using paraffin wax as a substitute for the glue. This substitution was useful as the glue used would dissolve in bourbon. After the paper straws turned out to be a success in local drinking establishments, Stone enhanced the drinking straws by using manila paper and paraffin wax to create stronger straws. He patented this invention on 3rd January 1888. The straw sales exceeded that of the cigarette holders and eventually, the straw making process was mechanized in 1906 with machines that rolled these straws.
Well, that’s not the end! The paper straw came into being because a man didn’t want his drink to be compromised, while the bendable straw was created by a compassionate father who saw her daughter struggling to drink her milkshake with a straight straw. The straight straw was bent into its final finishing by Joseph.B.Friedman. He stuck a screw on the top of the straw and traced the indentations using a floss. After the screw and floss were removed the straw was bent and would be bent forevermore. In 1939 he found the company Flex-straw and sold the straws to hospitals with bedridden patients.
The drinking straws have continued to evolve into different shapes and colors with the advent of plastic straws. Bendy straws, candy straws, spoon straws, and whacky Slurpee straws have immensely made our beverages more exciting than they can ever be! Stainless steel, silicone, bamboo, or glass are used as sustainable alternatives to plastic straws considering the costs and effects on the environment. These straws help us to slow down and enjoy life with every sip of the drink. This day reminds us to stand passionately for what we believe, just like Marvin and Joseph because that’s how we create a better world and a better beverage!
How Can We Observe National Drinking Straw Day:
- Straw all the way
You Can celebrate this day by using a straw to enjoy all your cold drinks for the day!
- Don’t strew the straw
Be sure to use eco-friendly and reusable straws. Create awareness about the hazards and plastic straws through posters and events.
- Show Some Love
Post photos and videos of your favorite drinks and straws using the #NationalDrinkingStrawDay and #DrinkingStrawDay on all your social media pages today!
Interesting Facts On National Drinking Straw Day:
Here are some interesting straw facts for you to enjoy the day!
- A seal from the Sumerian civilizations depicts two Sumerians drinking what appeared to be some sort of beer with tubes similar to drinking straws.
- The Bombilla is a metallic device used by the Argentines. It was used as a sieve or a straw over many years.
- Using straws for hot liquids can lead to scalding of your mouth as straw raises the temperature by a few degrees.
- Plastic straws became popular after World War II
- Sip-N-See was the first commercial twisted straw invented by Milton Dinhofer.
- Straws with impossible turns and twists are known as the “Crazy straws” was created by Arthur Philip Gildersleeve.
History Of National Drinking Straw Day:
The origin and the founder of this day remain unknown. This day is celebrated on January 3, when Marvin Chester was awarded a patent for his ingenious invention, the paper drinking straw, which marked the beginning of a new era!
