Each year, on December 6, we celebrate National Microwave Oven Day—a day to appreciate one of the most convenient kitchen appliances that changed the way we cook and reheat food. Since its invention, the microwave has become a staple in homes around the world, helping people save time and energy in meal preparation.
When Is National Microwave Oven Day Celebrated?
December 6 is the day to mark on your calendar if you want to join in the celebration of this handy kitchen gadget. It’s a perfect opportunity to think about how much easier our lives have become with the microwave, especially when you need to quickly heat up leftovers or make a snack in minutes.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | December 6, Friday |
| 2025 | December 6, Saturday |
| 2026 | December 6, Sunday |
| 2027 | December 6, Monday |
| 2028 | December 6, Wednesday |
| 2029 | December 6, Thursday |
| 2030 | December 6, Friday |
History of the Microwave Oven
The microwave oven was invented by accident. In 1945, American engineer Percy Spencer was working with radar technology when he noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted due to the radar waves. This observation sparked the development of the first microwave oven, called the Radarange, which was introduced to the public in 1947.
However, it took several decades before microwave ovens became affordable and compact enough for home use. By the 1970s, microwaves started appearing in homes across the globe, becoming a symbol of convenience and modern cooking.
Fun Facts About Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens have become a kitchen essential, but there’s more to them than just quick reheating. These fun facts might surprise you about this everyday appliance!
- The first food ever cooked in a microwave was popcorn, which remains one of the most popular microwave snacks today.
- Microwaves were initially used in airplanes to heat food for passengers, long before they became a home staple.
- The first microwave ovens were large, expensive, and mainly used in restaurants. It wasn’t until the 1970s that they became small and affordable enough for home kitchens.
- In 1967, microwaves cost around $495. Today, you can get a basic microwave for a fraction of that price!
- About 90% of households in the U.S. own a microwave, making it one of the most common kitchen appliances.
Ways to Celebrate National Microwave Oven Day
There are plenty of simple ways to mark the day. You can start by using your microwave to prepare a favorite snack, like popcorn or a mug cake. You could even try a new microwave recipe you haven’t made before, such as scrambled eggs or steamed vegetables. Don’t forget to take a moment to clean your microwave, too—it’ll make your cooking easier and help your appliance last longer!
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
