Welcome to November 28, 2021 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate the Festival of Lights and reclaiming lost bread. 

This evening kicks off Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights. During the time of Alexander the Great, Jewish culture began to blend with Greek culture in a mostly peaceful relationship. That is until Antiochus IV desecrated the Jewish Holy Temple. When the Israelites rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem, there was only enough oil to keep the lamps lit for one night, but instead, the oil lasted for 8. Chanukah celebrates this miracle with 8 nights of observance. In the evening, families light the menorah, adding one candle each night until all 9 candles are glowing on the last day. They exchange gifts, and share foods that commemorate this event. On the first day of Chanukah, we share in the spirit of miracles and embrace the ones we love. 

Today we celebrate a favorite breakfast food that goes by many names. Best known as French toast, it's actually not French at all. The first known recipe dates all the way back to the 5th century AD. That’s when the Romans whipped up eggs and milk, dipped in bread and fried it in oil or butter. And the recipe has remained more or less the same ever since. It was later called “poor knights” in Germany and “eggy bread” in England. And in France the name is “pain perdu” which means lost bread. What a perfect description for the magical transformation of stale bread into a golden toasted perfection. Try it with cinnamon and whipped cream, fruit or syrup and lots of melted butter. On National French Toast Day, celebrate this breakfast favorite with any name you please!

I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day.

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