When did National Ice Cream day become a thing?

It was a hot day today! Temperatures reached 95ºF so we stopped to get ice cream to celebrate National Ice Cream Day (the third Sunday in July). So how long have people been celebrating this sweet treat day?

Over eight hundred and eighty-seven million gallons of ice cream were consumed in the United States in 1983. In 1984 there were two joint resolutions, one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate, asking Reagan to proclaim July as National Ice Cream month and July 15 as National Ice Cream day. Reagan signed presidential proclamation 5219 on July 9, 1984, saying, "Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States," the proclamation states. "It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food." The proclamation declared July as National Ice Cream month and the third Sunday in July as National Ice cream day.

The ice cream industry generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. Indeed, nearly ten percent of all the milk produced by the United States dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, thereby contributing substantially to the economic well-being of the Nation's dairy industry.

So now the big question is what is your favorite flavor? Mine is Black Licorice... I know, you probably think that's weird, so to settle you a bit, chocolate peanut butter or sea salt caramel are also in my top flavors.