National Banana Split Day

The story

Banana Split consists of a banana cut in half lengthwise, hence the name “banana split,” with scoops of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream nestled between the banana halves. The dessert is then lavishly adorned with a combination of chocolate, strawberry, and pineapple sauces, generously topped with whipped cream, nuts, and a maraschino cherry. The history of the banana split is as rich and flavorful as the dessert itself.

In 1904, a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist named David Evans Strickler created the very first banana split at Tassel's Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Strickler's invention was a stroke of genius, combining the perfect harmony of bananas with the rich, sweet flavors of ice cream, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, strawberries, hot fudge, and other delectable toppings. The popularity of the banana split quickly spread, thanks to enthusiastic students at Saint Vincent College nearby, who frequented the pharmacy to savor this new, extraordinary treat.

The word-of-mouth buzz among the college students helped introduce the banana split to a wider audience, and soon, it became an American institution, with Strickler's banana-based sundaes earning the moniker “Dr. Dave's.” While the true origins of the banana split have been contested by various towns, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where Strickler's creation is well-documented, remains the most likely birthplace of this iconic dessert.

Wilmington, Ohio, also claims credit for its invention, but the evidence leans in favor of Latrobe.