National TV Dinner Day

Deepthi Reddy
Dec 22, 2023 By Deepthi Reddy
Originally Published on Feb 10, 2022
Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit
On National TV Dinner Day, people eat frozen dinners.

Where is National TV Dinner Day celebrated?

National TV Dinner Day is celebrated in the United States. This day gives people a reason to enjoy a meal without having to put in the effort of cooking, and one can watch their favorite shows on TV while enjoying this simple meal.

Who is National TV Dinner Day celebrated by?

Anyone can celebrate this day as an unofficial national holiday.

When did National TV Dinner Day first start?

National TV Dinner Day was started on September 10, 1953.

Who started National TV Dinner Day?

National TV Dinner Day was founded in the year 1953. C. A Swanson and his sons introduced the first TV dinner.

History And Timeline

The idea of rebranding the TV dinner goes to C.A Swanson and his sons.

Frozen Foods Concept

The popularity of frozen foods gained traction after Clarence Birdseye found an innovative and compelling way to freeze fish. This methodology of freezing food was later utilized in World War II by the military.

1924

Gaining A Larger Market

Albert and Meyer Bernstein, in the year 1949, established Frozen Dinners Inc., which led to the idea of selling TV dinners to a larger market.

1949

The TV Dinner Concept

Television became a favorite leisure time for people to come together to have a good time. The concept of the TV dinner gained fame in the '50s.

'50s

Dessert In TV Dinners

In 1960, C.A Swanson included a fourth compartment that contained a dessert-like apple-like cobbler or brownie.

1960

'TV Dinner' Term Halted

The use of the term 'TV dinners' was stopped by C.A Swanson. However, in the USA, the term retains the same meaning describing any prepackaged food bought frozen from a store.

1962

Traditions And Customs

Did you know that the first TV dinner was a meal of sweet potatoes, turkey, cornbread dressing, and peas that was given on Thanksgiving? This day is a holiday where the simplicity of eating is appreciated by enjoying food in front of a television.

For its long-lasting tradition, the original tray of the Swanson TV dinner was placed in a museum called the Smithsonian Institute Museum of American Cultural History in 1986.

Ways To Celebrate National Tv Dinner Day

Are you wondering how you can acknowledge this day? Here are a couple of ways to celebrate.

Enjoy a TV dinner and watch some TV. You can also invite friends over and watch some fun cooking shows. You can put delicious recipes on social media, buy frozen dinners and give them to people who don't have time cook or buy some for themselves, or enjoy a nice frozen dessert.

Facts And Stats

  • The first selling of TV dinners by C.A Swanson was priced at 98 cents per unit. Since they are cheap and tasty, even today, people enjoy eating them on National TV Dinner Day.
  • In its first year, more than 10 million TV dinners were sold. The first TV Dinner Day was celebrated with turkey, sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, and peas.
  • Organic, gourmet foods and vegetable dishes are also available, which makes for a perfect family dinner on this day.

Are there still TV dinners?

TV dinners describe any frozen meal that comes in a tray. So yes, there are still TV dinners.

Who invented TV dinners?

Frozen dinners were invented by Gerry Thomas.

Who started National TV Dinner Day?

National TV Dinner Day was started by C.A Swanson and his sons, and was introduced to the public in 1953.

When is National TV Dinner Day?

In the USA, National TV Dinner Day will be on September 10, 2022.

What is the significance of National TV Dinner Day?

Frozen meals help keep us full. Since various vegan meals are available as frozen food, this meal will suit any palate. 

How do people celebrate National TV Dinner Day?

People celebrate this day by having a good time with family and friends and enjoying TV dinners.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Wednesday, September 09, 2020
  • Thursday, September 09, 2021
  • Friday, September 09, 2022
  • Saturday, September 09, 2023
  • Monday, September 09, 2024

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Written by Deepthi Reddy

Master of Business Administration

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Deepthi ReddyMaster of Business Administration

With an MBA under her belt, Deepthi has discovered her true calling in content writing. Her writing repertoire is diverse, covering travel, movies, pet care, parenting, animals and birds, and more. Her joy of learning and creating has helped her craft well-written and engaging articles. When she isn't writing, Deepthi enjoys exploring new cultures, trying different foods, and spending quality time with her two children aged 7 and 12.

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Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

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Nishtha DixitBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Nishtha is an experienced SEO writer and editor, with a passion for writing and self-expression. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate major in Literature and Communication and a minor in Political Science from the University of Delhi. Nishtha has completed a certificate master course in English from the British Council and has been appointed as the editor for the bi-monthly magazine of the University of Delhi.

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