I would like to welcome you to our feature sharing Unique Holidays: September 26th, 2022. Today is Johnny Appleseed Day. To celebrate this Holiday I am going to see if Charlie want’s to make a Apple Pie or Apple Sauce in our Homeschool Cooking Class. I wish we had a Apple Tree we could pick the Apples off of like we had on my Grandmother’s Apple Tree. But we don’t so we will go on a Field Trip to the store. Would you like to go with us and stay for ApplePie or Apple Sauce?
Johnny Appleseed Day – March 11th and/or September 26th.
Johnny Appleseed Day honors one of America’s great legends. Did you know Johnny Appleseed was a real person? Johnny Appleseed was born John Chapman. Johnny Appleseed was among the American settlers who were captivated by the movement West across the continent.
As Johnny Appleseed traveled West, he sold Apple Trees and seeds to settlers, and planted many Apple Trees himself along the way. Johnny Appleseed continued planting and selling Apple Trees for over forty years. With every Apple Tree that was planted, the legend grew.
A Little About the Legend:
- John Chapman aka Johnny Appleseed was born on September 26th, 1774.
- John Chapman was a nurseryman who started out planting Trees in Western New York and Pennsylvania.
- During the life of John Chapman, the “West” was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.
- John Chapman was a deeply religious person and John Chapman was known to Preach during his travels.
- According to legend, Johnny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. Johnny Appleseed rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received.
- It is believed that Johnny Appleseed died on March 11th, 1845, from what was referred to as the “Winter plague”. The actual date of Johnny Appleseed death has been disputed.
There is a lot of “legend” in stories written about Johnny Appleseed. By it’s definition, over the years, legends grow bigger than life. It also appears that there is some link between Johnny Appleseed and very early Arbor Day celebrations.
Celebrate today with a Apple rich menu. Include fresh Apples for snacks, and Applesauce or Apple Pie for dessert. Make plans to plant an Apple Tree today.
History and Origin of “Johnny Appleseed Day”:
There is plenty of documentation to support claims for Johnny Appleseed Day on March 11th and on September 26th. We found no one who claims to have created Johnny Appleseed Day.
Here’s the skinny on the two dates:
- John Chapman was born on September 26th, 1774. This date is undisputed.
- It is believed Johnny Appleseed died on March 11th, 1845. However, his date was not formally recorded and the date of death is disputed.
Here is how we come out on the debate: Johnny Appleseed Day should be celebrated on the day of his birth. Johnny Appleseed birth date is undisputed. Johnny Appleseed’s birthday coincides with the Season of the Apple Harvest.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
