Ice Cream Trivia:

Fun facts to Accompany Americas Favorite Summer Time Treat!

In 1984 President Ronald Reagan declared July National Ice Cream Month saying that patriotic Americans should honor the month with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” So grab yourself a double scoop of your favorite flavor and learn some fun facts about this American classic!

• It is believed that in the first century the Roman Emperor Nero was a big fan of ice cream in its earlier stage. He would send his slaves up mountains to collect snow and ice so he could enjoy his flavored ices.
  
• The first documented mention of ice cream in America was written in the 1700s. It was written to the governor of Maryland praising the ice cream and strawberry dessert he had served at a dinner party.
  
• In 1776 the first ice cream parlor opened in New York City. During World War I ice cream became a symbol of pride for America due to the fact that a newspaper had quoted a German officer declaring, “We do not fear that nation of ice cream eaters.”
  
• In the 1920s, immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island were given ice cream to introduce them to a “typical” American treat. Many thought it was frozen butter and tried to spread it on their bread…
  
• In 1939 Stoelting built the first soft serve ice cream dispenser for the Home Made Ice Cream Company, known today as Dairy Queen, helping to create the soft serve industry as we know it today.