National Ice Cream Day Is Almost Here

Sunday, July 15 is National Ice Cream Day in the U.S., the Census Bureau reminds us.

One of the joys of summer and sins of consumption goes back to 1786, when commercially made ice cream was first advertised in New York City.

Until then, ice cream was a privately prepared treat. But the New York Post Boy announcement stated that anyone "may be supplied with ice cream every day at the City tavern by their humble servant, Joseph Cowe."

However, the supply was limited and ice cream didn't become a widespread favorite until the advances in electrical power and refrigeration in the early 20th century.

In 1910, Americans on average consumed a little less than two pounds of ice cream a year. Today, that figure is nearly 18.5 pounds, including low fat types.

Later, in 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.

Making ice cream and frozen desserts is now a $7.5 billion a year business in the U.S.