A July 4 Tradition Like No Other

The annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest brings together the world’s biggest appetites.

People take part in the women’s competition at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Across the United States, Americans celebrate Independence Day with parades, fireworks, and backyard barbecues. But in Coney Island, New York, July 4 brings another tradition: a hot dog eating contest.

The annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is exactly what it sounds like. Competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they can. It’s okay to dip the dogs in a cup of water to make it easier to swallow. It’s not okay to add ketchup, mustard, or anything else. The competitor who has eaten the most hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes wins the contest.

Nathan’s Famous has been open since 1916. This photo shows how it looked in 1954.

How Did It Start?

According to Nathan’s Famous, the hot dog company that sponsors the contest, the event dates back to 1916. A group of people were hanging out at Coney Island, a beach area in New York City, where a new hot dog stand called Nathan’s Famous had recently opened. The friends dared each other to see how many hot dogs they could eat.

The contest became an official, annual event in 1972. That year, Jason Schechter of the United States won the contest after eating 14 hot dogs and buns. The contest, and the number of hot dogs eaten, only grew from there.

Joey Chestnut (left) and Miki Sudo pose for a photo after winning the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025.

Modern-Day Champs

Today, Joey Chestnut is the most famous male participant in the contest. Chestnut has won 17 times. In 2021, he even broke a world record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns within the 10-minute time limit!

Miki Sudo is a big name in the women’s contest, with 11 wins. In 2024, Sudo ate an amazing 51 hot dogs and buns during the event.

But heavy eating is a sport best left to the pros. Experts say eating fast is not healthy and should not be attempted without proper training. People who eat competitively train their muscles and their stomachs over a long period of time. They also practice eating fast in a safe way.

You don’t have to attend the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to witness it. The event will air in the United States on ESPN at 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time on July 4.

NEWS EXTRA

The United States at 250

On July 4, 2026, the United States will mark its 250th birthday! Celebrate with us by reading about Prince Hall, an early American patriot who fought for liberty and equality.

Did You Know?

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO: © Bob Henriques/Pix—Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images COLOR PHOTO: © Anthony Aneese Totah Jr/Dreamstime.com

Coney Island is home to the Cyclone, a legendary roller coaster that opened in 1927! Move the arrow from the left to the right for a view of the Cyclone in the 1950s and in more modern times.

Make Your Own Ice Cream!

There’s nothing better than ice cream on a hot summer day! You can make this sweet treat even without a freezer. All it takes is a few ingredients and a little bit of muscle.

What You Need

1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
¼ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups ice
1/3 cup rock salt or kosher salt
One resealable plastic bag (quart or gallon size)
One plastic storage container with a lid (big enough to hold the filled plastic bag)

What to Do

Combine the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in the plastic bag. You can also add extras like chocolate chips or cut-up strawberries. Push out the extra air and seal the bag. Make sure it’s sealed tightly!
Put the ice and salt into the storage container. Then put the filled plastic bag into the storage container. Seal the storage container.
Shake the storage container hard for 7 to 10 minutes, until the liquid has hardened.
Open the container and the bag and enjoy your ice cream!

Happy Canada Day!

July 1 is Canada Day, a time to celebrate the day in 1867 on which Canada became a nation. Learn more about this special holiday at Britannica!

WHAT'S THE WORD?

devour

Part of speech:

verb

Definition:

: to quickly eat all of (something) especially in a way that shows that you are very hungry

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How to Cite This Page

Here is how to cite this page using the MLA style. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some differences. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

“In the News: A July 4 Tradition Like No Other.” Britannica School, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 28 June 2026. https://news.eb.com/level1/a-july-4-tradition-like-no-other. Accessed 29 June 2026 [Replace this date with today’s date.]