Tacos are a favorite of 95% of Americans, and we consume over four billion tacos yearly. It’s no wonder, then, that we have a national day to celebrate them!

America celebrates National Taco Day on October 4th. The holiday emerged in 2009, but the origins of tacos go back much further.

Keep reading to learn about the history and meaning of National Taco Day and find out how you can celebrate in style. Make sure to mark October 4th on your calendar – it’s going to be a taco-filled day!

National Taco Day history

Looking at the historical roots of the taco, we can see that this dish has been around for centuries. Tacos likely originated in Mexico a long time before Europeans arrived. They were traditionally made with corn tortillas and fish.

The modern version of tacos began to take shape in the early 1900s as Mexican immigrants began to work on American railroads and silver mines. During its initial introduction to America, they were called “taco de minero,” which means “miner’s tacos.”

At the turn of the century, a group of women brought the Mexican traditional outdoor food stands to San Antonio, Texas. They were known as the San Antonio Chili Queens. The Chili Queens served traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, and tamales.

As time went on, tacos became more and more popular. During the 1920s, tacos were adapted to suit American tastes. The American taco became less spicy and more likely to include beef or cheddar cheese.

When did National Taco Day start?

Taco Bell was founded in 1962 and played a significant role in making tacos a mainstream food in America. Taco Bell introduced the world to the Tex-Mex style of tacos, made with a flour tortilla and filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.

Taco-related holidays began in 1969. A Texas governor declared the week before Cinco De Mayo “Taco Week.” Within five years, it had expanded to “Taco Month.” It gained national attention due to the promotional efforts of well-known companies that sponsored it.

In 2009, a California-based restaurant named Del Taco declared National Taco Day to be October 4th. The restaurant offered a free taco to anyone who came in and said, “Happy National Taco Day.”

Why is October 4 National Taco Day?

In 2009, after some buzz on websites and other media, the American restaurant chain Del Taco did a press release that proclaimed October 4th to be National Taco Day. The next year, a Texas-based restaurant chain called Taco Cabana did the same. And so, the national day was born!

How to celebrate National Taco Day

There are many ways for individuals to celebrate National Taco Day. One way is to have a taco party! This can be done by hosting a party at your house or going to a restaurant specializing in tacos.

If you choose to host a party, you can set up a taco bar with all the toppings and fillings your guests might want. If you go out to eat, order as many tacos as possible and enjoy!

Another way to celebrate is to learn more about the history of tacos and their place in Mexican culture. You could also try making your tacos from scratch – there are many recipes online or in cookbooks.

Any way you choose to celebrate National Taco Day, make sure to enjoy some delicious tacos!

How your brand can promote National Taco Day

There are many ways that your brand can get involved in National Taco Day. It’s a fun and friendly way to generate social media engagement, especially if your brand is a restaurant.

You can use social media to promote National Taco Day by sharing taco-related content or using the hashtag #NationalTacoDay.

Another way is to offer discounts or coupons for tacos on October 4th. This is a great way to increase sales and encourage customers to try your product.

Host a taco-themed event or contest if you want to get even more involved. This is a great way to generate excitement and buzz around your brand.

National Taco Day hashtags

Research is always key to choosing the best hashtags. Aside from the obvious #nationaltacoday hashtag, you could also consider the following:

  • #tacos
  • #tacoday
  • #tacotuesday
  • #foodie
  • #mexicanfood
  • #tacolife

Combine these with some local hashtags for better local SEO results. For example, if you’re in Los Angeles, try adding #LAfood or #LosAngeles to your National Taco Day posts.

National Taco Day FAQ 

Just want the basics? Learn all the answers to your National Taco Day questions here.

What Is National Taco Day?

National Taco Day is a day on which we celebrate the deliciousness of tacos! This holiday is typically celebrated by eating tacos, attending taco-themed events, or enjoying discounts on tacos at restaurants.

When is National Taco Day?

What day is National Taco Day, anyhow? National Taco Day is celebrated on October 4th. In Mexico, Dia de Taco (Day of the Taco) is celebrated on March 31st. Although many of us are familiar with the idea of “Taco Tuesday,” the holiday can be any day that these dates fall on.

Who Is celebrating National Taco Day?

Acknowledging a holiday or social media holiday as part of your content marketing is a great way to show your audience that you’re in touch with current trends. It’s also an excellent opportunity for businesses to get creative and have some fun.

In recent years, restaurants and businesses across the United States have celebrated National Taco Day with discounts and special offers on tacos. Some of these businesses include:

  • Taco Bell
  • On the Border
  • Del Taco
  • Chuy’s
  • Taco John’s

Local restaurant owners and social media managers can take a look at what the bigger businesses are doing and learn from them. Do something similar on a smaller scale and adjust it to your brand and audience.

For example, suppose Taco Bell is giving away free tacos. In that case, you might consider giving away a taco to the first ten people who come into your restaurant and mention National Taco Day.

Final thoughts on National Taco Day

Tacos are enjoyed by people all over the world and come in many different styles, with endless possibilities regarding fillings, toppings, and tortillas. Whether you like your tacos simple or loaded with toppings, there’s a taco for everyone to enjoy.

Tacos are a delicious, easy-to-make dish that brings people together. Your brand can use National Taco Day as an opportunity to connect with your customers and create some fun, engaging content.

So get out there and celebrate National Taco Day! And don’t forget to enjoy some tacos while you’re at it.

Want to include more holidays in your marketing strategy? Check out all the other social media holidays you can participate in.