National Popcorn Day is celebrated on January 23. In honor of this little known holiday, here are some interesting facts about the age old snack and the answer, according to CHS student, to the age old question: which is better -- movie popcorn or microwave popcorn?

Sophomore Lacey Bigham thinks movie popcorn is better.

"The butter tastes fresher," she said. "I always burn my popcorn at home."

Students here prefer microwave popcorn two to one over movie popcorn.

"I think microwave popcorn is hotter and more convenient," freshmen R.J. Ruston said. "It's right in your cabinet. You don't have to attend a movie to get it."

Convenience was definitely a consideration when discussing popcorn along with the buttery flavor.

"There is more butter on microwave popcorn," sophomore Colleen Hamrick said. "At the movies, all you get is a little blop of butter."

Most didn't know where popcorn originated.

In 1948, archaeologists discovered ears of corn in a west Mexico bat cave. They believe that the Cachise Indians, which date back to 2,500 B.C., actually endulged in the popular buttery snack. Popcorn kernels have also been discovered on Peru's eastern coast, which are still popable after 1,000 years!*

English colonists were first introduced to popcorn by the Indians at the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The colonists added sugar and milk to popcorn which created the first breakfast cereal also.

Colombus found Indians eating and decorating with popcorn when he first arrived in the West Indies. In 1519 after invading Mexico, the Spainish conquistador, Cortes, met with the Aztecs who used popcorn for decorating ceremonial headdresses and necklace as well as eating.

American Indians would pop the corn by piercing its center with a sharp object, usually a stick, spread oil over the cob, and then hold it over a fire until the kernels popped.

Popcorn first became popular from the 1890s up to the Great Depression. It was sold on streets by vendors for 5 to 10 cents a bag.

Popcorn sales decreased in the early 1950s when the television was first introduced because attendance at movie theaters dropped. However, popcorn grew to its well-known popularity today when microwave popcorn was first introduced.

So which is it for CHS students? Angela Garcia, Taylor Higdon, Kara Steinman, Jacqueline Carter, Aimee Scarborough, and Garrett Watson all say movie popcorn, while Chris Huot says microwave.

*All information used from www.sgw.ca/facts/where.html