International Chicken Wing Day is a holiday observed annually in July. Chicken wings have become a global sensation and are particularly popular in countries such as the United States, where they are most commonly associated with sporting events. What makes chicken wings so appealing?

It’s a combination of factors. Chicken wings have a higher ratio of skin to meat than other cuts of chicken, which allows them to cook up crispier. This also makes them the perfect vehicle for sweet, hot, or savory sauces to a person’s taste buds. That’s why chicken wings have earned their position as one of the most popular finger foods in the world.

The History of International Chicken Wing Day

Although chicken wings have been consumed since chickens were domesticated over 4,000 years ago, the modern chicken wing as we know it dates back only to the 1960s. By this, we mean deep-fried wings that are cooked in hot sauce. This practice began in 1964 when the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, created the first-ever Buffalo Wings.

They were originally made using leftover wings and hot sauce for the bar’s owners, but they enjoyed them so much that they added them to the menu the next day. Buffalo Wings, served with slices of celery and blue cheese sauce, immediately wowed customers and became an instant success.

On July 29, 1977, the city of Buffalo, New York, proclaimed the day to be National Chicken Wing Day. A decade later, the holiday was established to proclaim July 1st as International Chicken Wing Day. After all, Buffalo Wings aren’t the only type of wings enjoyed today.

There are Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings, Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Chinese Salt and Pepper Wings, Indian Tandoori Chicken Wings, and even Vietnamese Fish Sauce Chicken Wings. This variety shows that chicken wings are enjoyed not only in the U.S. but around the world as well.

Observing International Chicken Wing Day

It doesn’t matter how one celebrates this holiday, as long as they prepare their chicken wings the way they prefer. Some of the most popular chicken wing recipes include Cajun Wings, Peri-Peri Wings, Indian Butter Chicken Wings, Mexican Adobo Wings, Teriyaki Wings, and Honey Mustard Wings.

Of course, that’s only a small sampling of the chicken wing recipes that exist. An Internet search will provide people with about 1,000 more recipes. Anyone who finds a recipe they like should use the hashtag #InternationalChickenWingDay to spread the word about it online.