Cow Appreciation Day Date in the current year: July 8, 2025

Humans have raised cows for millennia. Interestingly, they were domesticated twice: taurine cattle in West Asia and zebu (humped cattle) in the Indian subcontinent. Taurine cattle are primarily bred in Western countries and parts of Asia, while zebu are primarily bred in South Asia, as well as parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. The two types of cattle are considered either two closely related species or two subspecies of the same species.

Cows are raised for their meat, milk, and leather. They are also used as draft animals to pull agricultural equipment and carts in developing countries. Additionally, cows contribute to agriculture by producing manure, which is used as a natural fertilizer to enhance soil fertility. There are more than a thousand recognized breeds of cattle worldwide, which are divided into three main groups: meat, dairy, and draft. Some breeds belong to more than one group, while others are raised exclusively for meat, milk, or as working animals.

In some parts of the world, particularly South India, cows hold profound religious and cultural significance. In Hinduism, for example, cows are considered sacred and are often associated with deities such as Krishna, who is depicted as a cowherd (Gopala-Krishna), and Shiva, whose mount is a bull named Nandi. The cow symbolizes nonviolence, fertility, and abundance, embodying qualities such as nurturing and selflessness. Consequently, many Hindus avoid consuming beef and instead protect and venerate cows, often feeding and caring for them in temples or rural communities.

Cow Appreciation Day is observed in the United States on the second Tuesday in July. It was created by Chick-fil-A, an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in chicken sandwiches. In 1995, the company launched a famous advertising campaign featuring cows wearing or holding signs that read “Eat Mor Chikin” to encourage people to spare cows by eating chicken instead of beef. This humorous campaign received significant attention and eventually led to the creation of Cow Appreciation Day in 2004.

On this day, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide offered free food to customers dressed as cows. Although the chain no longer organizes the promotion, some people still celebrate Cow Appreciation Day to recognize cows’ contributions to our lives and pay tribute to these amazing farm animals.

There are many ways to celebrate Cow Appreciation Day. To stay true to the event’s original spirit, dress up as a cow and eat chicken instead of beef. You can also support local dairy farmers by buying their products, visit a local cattle farm that offers tours (or take a virtual tour of a cattle farm anywhere in the world), learn interesting facts about cows and share them with others, and spread the word on social media with the hashtag #CowAppreciationDay!