Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday 2024: Why do we have pancakes today?

Important announcement: It is Pancake Day!

It's a day where people make lots of pancakes with all sorts of toppings - but why does everyone get so excited about it?

Why do we have a day where everyone eats the same thing, and why is that thing pancakes?

If you could have any pancake topping what would it be? Leave a comment below.

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday.

It happens on a different day every year to mark the start of the Christian festival of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday always falls the day before the 40 days of Lent begin.

Lent begins from Ash Wednesday - this year that will be 14 February.

Lent is traditionally a time of fasting and sacrifice, and often Christian children give things up - such as chocolate, or crisps.

At the end of Lent it is Easter- the most important celebration in the Christian calendar.

Why do we eat pancakes?

The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday comes from families using up all ingredients in their cupboards so that they can start Lent the next day.

The ingredients - eggs, flour and milk - used to be very common things for people to give up for Lent, so it made sense to use them all up.

These days it's probably the toppings that we're likely to give up - such as chocolate or sweets.

What is Lent?

In Christian tradition Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter

Lent is a period of 40 days where Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God and whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity.

A lot of people use Lent as a way of testing their willpower - often giving up things like chocolate or other sweet treats before Easter.

Millions of people do this as a sign of sacrifice, and Christians do it to represent Jesus Christ's sacrifice when he went into the desert to pray and fast for the 40 days before later dying on the cross.

According to the Bible, Jesus then came back to life on Easter Sunday. This is the most important day in the Christian calendar.

What do you like on your pancakes?

Maybe your favourite pancake is a savoury one? Let us know!

What is YOUR dream pancake? From lemon and sugar, to chocolate, or maybe even...bacon?

Perhaps you'd like a savoury pancake with cheese or pizza toppings or maybe you go all-in with loads of different ice creams and sauces?

Let us know in the comments - what do you like on your pancakes?