February 5, 2023 - National Snack Food Month | National Weather Person's Day

Welcome to February 5th, 2023 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate an old school snack and predicting the unpredictable. The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago unveiled many amazing things to its visitors. Advancements in transportation, weaponry, and wonders from around the world. But one its most enduring legacies is the popularizing of snack food. Fairgoers were given a box of Cracker Jack upon entry. As much as people loved it, the molasses, popcorn, and peanut snack was too gooey for mass production. A few years later, the formula was perfected and Cracker Jack became a huge hit. Soon after came a host of other foods trying to capitalize on the trend of munching between meals. February is National Snack Foods Month, so tear open a bag of chips or go old school with a box of Cracker Jack. Until the 1860s, if people wanted to know what the weather would be, they had to rely on looking at the skies or using “weather wisdom”—a knowledge of patterns they’d gained over the years. This method was very popular with sailors and farmers, who paid special attention to wind and temperature changes. It was inexact, but necessary. Then came British admiral Robert FitzRoy, who established the Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade. The Met, as it was known, would collect data on wind speed and storm conditions around the British coast, then deliver them via telegraph from one port to another. This system warned sailors and fishermen of bad weather and saved many lives. On National Weatherperson’s Day, we celebrate the people who give us a heads up on weather conditions and also something to gripe about when the predictions are off. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices