NATIONAL TATER DAY – March 31, 2025

History of National Tater Day

The much-adored tater evolved from the nightingale plant almost 350 million years ago. But its earliest recorded instance in history is much later than that. Potatoes were first cultivated as food in the Peruvian Andes. Since potatoes grew best in higher altitude conditions, the crops were mostly planted atop a mountain valley, near Lake Titicaca. As centuries passed by, potatoes grew in popularity and trade due to their low-maintenance features and high nutritional values. 

It was due to the tubular vegetable’s low-maintenance quality that they were being planted in larger and larger acres of land. This meant more food for people in the long run, and this is also the reason why potatoes were used by rulers and lords to solve food shortages amongst the masses. One interesting example is Prussia in the 1700s. The king, Frederick the Great, decreed potatoes to be given to the masses, especially the poor, as protection against famine. However, many refused the food as they considered taters to be disgusting. Seeing this, the king came up with a strategy and ordered the potato fields to be cordoned off and labeled as ‘food for the royals.’ But soon after, people ‘stole’ the potatoes for eating. The king’s plan had worked and the masses were fed. 

More recently in tater history, people have been celebrating National Tater Day since 1843. Traders would come and exchange goods, particularly potato slips that allowed them to buy and grow the plant. This is the oldest trade convention ever known and celebrated. While it may have had its fair share of ups and downs, the tater is loved and enjoyed by many today.