The Sandwich: A Brief history

NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY

Whether you stack it high or thin, National Sandwich Day on November 3rd recognizes one of America’s favorite lunch items.
The sandwich is believed to be the namesake of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, following the claim that he was the inventor of the sandwich. No matter who invented it, we celebrate every kind of sandwich.

While the modern sandwich is believed to be named after John Montagu, the exact circumstances of its invention and original use are the subject of debate. There is a rumor in a contemporary travel book titled Tour to London, by Pierre Jean Grosley, that formed the popular myth that bread and meat sustained Lord Sandwich at the gambling table. It is said that Lord Sandwich was a very conversant gambler and did not take the time to have a meal during his long hours playing at the card table. When hungry, he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread. This practice was a habit that was well known to his gambling friends who soon began to order “the same as Sandwich,” and from this, the sandwich was born.

N.A.M. Rodger, who wrote Sandwich’s biography, suggests that because of Sandwich’s commitment to the navy, politics, and the arts, the first sandwich was more likely to have been consumed at his work desk.

Before being known as sandwiches, the food seems just to have been called bread and meat or bread and cheese.

Types of Sandwiches

In the United States alone, we have some pretty delicious sandwich inventions. The cheesesteak and sloppy joe are American classics. Don’t forget the muffuletta or the Monte Cristo. We love our Po boys and grilled cheese, pork tenderloins, and po’boys, too. However, we can’t forget some of these other absolutely delicious options:

BLT
Club
Dagwood
French Dip
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Pilgrim

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSandwichDay

Go out for a sandwich with a friend or enjoy one of the following sandwich recipes:

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich
BBQ Pork for Sandwiches
Real N’awlins Muffuletta
Shrimp Po’ Boys
Use #NationalSandwichDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this tasty food holiday. However, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was born on November 3, 1718.