National Bagel and Lox Day is observed worldwide every February 9, celebrating the popular dish of bagels topped with lox and cream cheese, a staple of American Jewish cuisine. The bagel, which originated in Polish Jewish communities, is a yeast dough bread shaped into rings, boiled, and baked, resulting in a crisp exterior and dense interior. The combination of bagels and lox is believed to have originated in New York City and Philadelphia, where it became popular among Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century. Traditionally, a sliced bagel with lox is garnished with ingredients like tomato, cucumber, red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg. The day was initially known as National Bagel Day, but after a rebranding by Thomas’ bagels in 2018, it became recognized as National Bagel and Lox Day. Celebrations typically involve enjoying a bagel with cream cheese and lox, either from a deli or made at home.