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I love sharing secrets about myself with you. Did you know I’ve always wanted a Pot Belly Pig and so do my daughter Leslie who wants to name her Pig Bacon. No, not I I I want to name my pig Noel just like on the TV Show Designing women. Since I can’t have a Piot Bellied Pig Charlie and David said come and join us as we study Pigs this week in our classroom.
National Pig Day, celebrated annually on March 1st, is the perfect time to celebrate how much Pigs have become part of American culture. We see Pigs in art, costumes, stuffed animals, collectables, Piggy banks, movies, books and, of course, on the dinner table. Pigs have lived throughout the Country on farms and in Zoos for many years and even in our homes as Pets! It’s only fitting to have a day dedicated to Pigs to learn more about how they are part of our culture and history.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PIG DAY
Fossil records show Pigs roamed the Earth as early as 40 million years ago, and the animals’ descendants are believed to have first been domesticated around 9,000 years ago in current day China and parts of Western Asia. Later, about 3,500 years ago, Romans introduced breeding for Pigs. Pork consumption was banned in parts of Asia and the Middle East, however, Europeans continued refining purpose-driven Pig breeds up to the 1500’s.
It was around this time when domesticated Pigs first set “hoof” on North American soils. Christopher Columbus is believed to have eight Pigs along his journey while travelling to Cuba in 1493 after his initial voyage to the “New World.” Columbus’ successor in exploring the America’s, Hernando de Soto, brought 13 of the animals with him when first landing in today’s Tampa Bay, Florida, making the first domesticated Pigs in what would become the United States of America.
National Pig Day began in 1972 when two sisters, Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave, decided it was time “to accord to the Pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals”.
The first official celebration took place that year with the intent of the holiday to respectfully remember the pig as opposed to serving it as the main meal. Since then, cities across the country plan fun events such as a “snort off” competition, pig parades, and pig-themed arts and crafts activities.
As with Dogs and Cats, potbellied Pigs have made great pets and there are over 1 million of them throughout the US and Canada today. For most people, the most frequent interaction with Pigs is indeed at the dinner table. Pork is the most popular meat worldwide with over 80 million tons produced each year making up 40% of all meat consumption. We would be remiss to not mention our appreciation for all things pork as we celebrate National Pig Day.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PIG DAY
- Today is the day to lean about famous Pigs from movies and books including Wilber from Charlottes Web. Some of the most famous Piggies include Porky Pig, Babe and of course, Miss Piggy!
- With Charlie and I homeschooling I’ve been thinking about taking a Field Trip to a farm to learn about Pigs from the experts.
FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT PIGS
- A Pig’s squeal can reach 115 decibels, which is 3 decibels above a supersonic jet!
- Pigs have 15,000 taste buds compared to the 9,000 of a human being.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL PIG DAY
- Pigs are believed to be one of the smartest animals! Only the Chimpanzee, Dolphin and Elephant are ranked smarter in the animal kingdom.
- Pigs are easier to domesticate than Dogs and Pigs have been trained to do some pretty cool things including play video games, distinguish smells, use a litter box and recognize symbols.
If you give a pig a pancake, she’ll want some syrup to go with it. You’ll give her some of your favorite maple syrup, and she’ll probably get all sticky, so she’ll want to take a bath. She’ll ask you for some bubbles. When you give her the bubbles…
Readers will delight in the story of an accommodating little girl who tries to keep up with the whims of a busy little pig.
Fans of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie will love this perfect addition to the series!
The If You Give… series is a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, these books are perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to “read it again!”
Other favorites in Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond’s bestselling series include:
- If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
- If You Give a Dog a Donut
- If You Give a Moose a Muffin
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
- If You Give a Pig a Party
All Things Pigs For Kids: Filled With Plenty of Facts, Photos, and Fun to Learn all About Pigs
Treat the Little Pig Fan in Your Life With a Book That Will Have Them OINK-ing With Joy!
Kids love these lovable animals, and it’s easy to see why. Their cute snouts, curly tails, and playful personalities captivate the hearts of young and old!
This colorful book, filled with amazing real-life images, combines fun with education to help you learn all about pigs. Here are a few of the things you and your little one can discover and look forward to inside:
- Simple and easy-to-understand writing for readers 6 years old and upwards.
- Awesome, real-life pictures of these lovable farmyard friends!
- Plenty of incredible facts and topics ranging from their history, evolution, characteristics, diet, and life cycle.
- Pretty much… “ALL THINGS PIGS”!
Get your little one excited about reading with the help of this entertaining gem of a book!
Homeschool Lesson Plans
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
