Prepare your eggs, butter, sugar, and lemon juice because Pancake Day has arrived! In 2024, this delectable celebration, also known as Shrove Tuesday, falls on February 13, a week earlier than the previous year.
Pancake Day, observed the day before Ash Wednesday, signals the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of abstinence leading up to Easter. On this day, people indulge in pancakes, a tradition rooted in using up ingredients forbidden during Lent.
The date of Pancake Day varies on the Gregorian calendar, always occurring 47 days before Easter Sunday. Last year, it graced us on February 21.
Shrove Tuesday’s name comes from Anglo-Saxon Christians confessing sins before Lent, becoming “shriven” of them. In some countries like France, Germany, and the US, the day before Lent is celebrated as Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday.”
The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates back to the 16th century in Britain. The ingredients – eggs, butter, and fat – were typically banned during Lent. Parishes would mark the day with the ringing of the “Pancake Bell,” still used in some places today.
Pancake Day festivities primarily revolve around savoring these delectable treats. Some engage in pancake racing, a quirky tradition believed to originate from a 1445 incident where a woman, engrossed in pancake-making, raced to church with her frying pan and pancake upon hearing the bell.
In the UK, “mob football” matches were once common on Pancake Day, with teams kicking balls around on public roads. While this tradition has waned, places like Atherstone in Warwickshire still uphold this centuries-old activity.
So, whether you prefer crepe-style pancakes or fluffy variations, Pancake Day is a global celebration filled with tasty traditions and a delightful prelude to the solemn observance of Lent.
