National Animal Crackers Day

The story

Originating in England, these treats made their way to America in the late 1800s, courtesy of the Stauffer Biscuit Company. However, it was the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) that truly revolutionized the industry in 1902 with their Barnum's Animals crackers.

Packaged in adorable circus train-themed boxes and used as Christmas ornaments, these biscuits quickly became a beloved childhood staple, immortalized in Shirley Temple's iconic song “Animal Crackers in My Soup.” Today, both Nabisco and Stauffer's continue to delight fans with their distinctive takes on these crunchy delights.

Today, animal crackers continue to captivate both young and old, with Stauffer's Biscuit Company faithfully preserving the original 1871 recipe, while Nabisco offers its colorful, sweet, and slightly softer Barnum's Animal Crackers. Despite debates over biscuit-like crispness versus cookie-like sweetness, one thing remains certain: animal crackers hold a special place in American culture.

Nabisco's ingenious packaging, resembling miniature circus train cars, transformed the humble animal cracker into a cultural icon. These whimsical boxes, initially sold as Christmas ornaments, captured the imagination of children nationwide.