National Tamale Day is observed worldwide every March 23 to celebrate tamales, a traditional dish with origins dating back to between 8000 and 5000 BC in Mesoamerica, likely invented by indigenous peoples in present-day Mexico and Guatemala. The holiday was established by Richard Lambert, who realized in 2014 that there was no dedicated celebration for tamales. The date was chosen to boost the popularity of tamales as demand typically declines in spring after the holiday season. On this day, people enjoy tamales with various savory or sweet fillings, participate in tamale crawls to sample different varieties, make their own tamales at home, or share recipes on social media using hashtags like #NationalTamaleDay. Tamales are popular across many Latin American countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, and they can be wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks before being steamed.