National Lobster Day

Celebrated on 09/25/2026

Quick Fact

Lobsters were once considered 'poor man's chicken' and were fed to prisoners, servants, and even used as fertilizer in colonial America. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that lobsters gained popularity as a delicacy, thanks to the development of canning and faster transportation.

Origins and Establishment of National Lobster Day

National Lobster Day was first established in 2015 by John P. 'Jack' Donahue, a lobsterman from Maine, who sought to honor the lobster industry and its cultural significance. The day was officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in a bipartisan resolution, with the date set as September 25th to coincide with the peak of the lobster harvesting season in New England.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Initially a local celebration in Maine, National Lobster Day has grown into a nationwide event, promoted by seafood restaurants, grocery chains, and tourism boards. Today, it is marked by special menus featuring lobster dishes, lobster-themed festivals, and social media campaigns. Many restaurants offer discounts on lobster rolls, bisques, and whole lobsters, while coastal communities host lobster boat races, cooking contests, and educational events about sustainable fishing.

Facts & General Observations

• Maine accounts for over 80% of the U.S. lobster catch, with an annual harvest exceeding 100 million pounds.
• Lobsters can live up to 100 years and grow by molting their exoskeleton, which they do up to 25 times in their first 5-7 years.
• The largest recorded lobster weighed 44 pounds and was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1977.

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