March 21st is celebrated as National California Strawberry Day, and the celebration of this holiday marks the beginning of the strawberry season in the great state of California. This holiday is observed around the first day of spring and is the perfect time for people to consider some of the strawberry-inspired dishes they’re going to make for the upcoming strawberry season.

Perhaps it’s going to be something as simple as strawberry shortcake or something as fabulous as a strawberry pie. It doesn’t matter how you enjoy this holiday; all that matters is that it’s enjoyed.

The History of National California Strawberry Day

National California Strawberry Day is a holiday that can be traced back to 1983. This is when the California Strawberry Advisory Board—now known simply as the California Strawberry Commission—created the holiday to get people to associate the spring season with the California strawberry season.

Sweet Facts About Strawberries

Below are some sweet strawberry facts that we think everyone will be able to sink their teeth into. Let’s take a look at them before we begin to celebrate this holiday.

• Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen every spring.
• Each strawberry has over 200 seeds on it.
• Strawberries aren’t technically berries because their seeds are on the outside.
• Americans eat over 3 pounds of strawberries each year.
• Approximately 75% of the strawberries produced in the U.S. are produced in California.
• Strawberry plants are perennials, so they’ll grow back every year.

Observing National California Strawberry Day

May we suggest that you make some of your favorite strawberry recipes on this holiday? Go ahead and make a strawberry and cream layer cake, a strawberry Bundt cake, strawberry sorbet, or a strawberry streusel cake.

While you’re enjoying all of these strawberries, don’t forget to spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalCaliforniaStrawberryDay on your social media accounts.