National Soft Ice Cream Day is observed in the United States every August 19. This food holiday celebrates soft serve ice cream, a dessert that has been popular since the 1930s. Soft serve is characterized by its smoother and lighter texture, which is achieved by incorporating air during the freezing process. The creation of soft serve is attributed to an incident in 1934 when Tom Carvel, the founder of the Carvel ice cream brand, sold melting ice cream from his truck and discovered its appeal. The popularity of soft serve surged in the 1960s with the introduction of mechanized air pumps in vending machines, which enhanced its creamy texture. To celebrate, people are encouraged to enjoy a cone of soft serve, available in a variety of flavors.