National Pie Day is January 23. Here are a few little known facts about the history of pie.

The Romans are the first credited to have baked the first pie. The pies were made in "reeds" which were used to fill the pie, but not to eat the insides (what was the point?).  The first official pie recipe was published also by the Romans (they really liked pie!) for a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie (ick!).*

Until the English realized pies were suposed to be sweet in the 1500s, most pies were filled with meats and cheeses. The first cherry pie was  made by Queen Elizabeth I.

English settlers were the first to bring the lovely blessing of pie to the Americas. Early American pie crust, as in Roman times, were not eaten until  the American Revolution (yet again, what was the point?).

Pie has become such a traditon throughout the years, we have adopted the term "as American as apple pie."

Here are a few ways to celebrate National Pie Day:

 Share pie.  Whether you make or buy pie, share it.  By its very nature,   pie is meant to be eaten with others. 

Pay it forward.  Hand out pie slices to strangers and encourage them to do the same for others.   It could spread the peace on earth and goodwill to mankind that we all hope for.

Be a good Samaritan.  Buy an extra pie at your local grocery store and give it to the person behind you in line.  You may just change their life!

Reach out to new neighbors you haven’t met and bring them some pecan pie – it says your thoughtful.  Stay awhile to get to know each other over pie and fill them in on the neighborhood.

Indulge your co-workers.  Bring some pie to work – you’ll create a lot of good rapport and maybe even get a raise.

Surprise your significant other at work and bring him or her a pie to share with their coworkers.

Say thank you.  Know a special someone who deserves some thanks?  Maybe it’s a friend who did you a favor, your child’s teacher or your postal worker.  What better way to say thanks than with a warm hug wrapped in a delicious crust?

Got a crush?  Invite the “apple pie of your eye” for some pie and get to know each other better.  But make it chocolate – most Americans believe it’s the most romantic pie.  Before long, you may be calling each other “sweetie pie.”

Delight your family.  Share the love and share your favorite memories together over a warm, fresh pie.  Have older family members talk about the history behind the family favorites.  Start a new tradition and publish pie memories and recipes, then send them to family members. 

Spend time with your kids and make a pie together.  Let them pick their favorite pie and show them how it’s done.  They’ll be proud of their creation and have fond memories of you as the best parent ever for years to come!

Get caught up with friends and invite them over for some afternoon pumpkin pie.  You can dish on all their latest news. 

Throw a pie potluck get-together.  Have everyone bring their favorite pie and exchange recipes.  We’ve heard of events where more than 100 folks come with 100 pies.  Have a contest to see who can come up with the most pie songs.  The winning prize?  A pie!

Hold a charity pie-throwing or pie-eating contest or a pie auction.  You can donate the proceeds to your local community food bank.

Hold a pie-making contest.  Invite the best pie makers in town to compete for prizes in various categories.  Ask cooking teachers, pastry chefs and pie lovers to be judges.  Be sure the kids are involved – you can include pie poetry and pie art contests for them. 

Register for the 2007 American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships  

Eat pie.  Whether you make it yourself, buy it at a supermarket or bakery or order it at a restaurant, perform a random act of pieness on yourself and enjoy some pie on National Pie Day – it’s great with lunch, dinner or as a late-night snack.

*All information aquired from www.piecouncil.org/national.htm