National Root Beer Float Day

National Root Beer Float Day, celebrated annually on August 6th, is a day of enjoyment and appreciation of an iconic American cold drink: the root beer float. Known as the "Black Cow," the unique concoction mixes root beer and creamy vanilla ice cream which results in a delightful beverage famous for its frothy top.

The root beer float was purportedly created in 1893 by Frank J. Wisner of Cripple Creek, Colorado. One evening, Wisner, owner of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, was struck by the idea of creating a dessert that looked like the snowy peaks of Cow Mountain. He decided to combine root beer and a dollop of vanilla ice cream, thus creating a soon-to-be-beloved drink.

Today, National Root Beer Float Day is not only about savoring the beverage, but it also serves as a tool for many businesses and organizations to raise funds for charitable causes. Throughout the day, many establishments offer free or discounted root beer floats and encourage customers to make a donation. This cordial combination of enjoying a refreshing drink while supporting a worthy cause makes National Root Beer Float Day an event worth marking on your calendar, especially as it occurs at the peak of summer, on August 6.